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The ion-induced secondary electron emission coefficient (γ) is a vital parameter in the modeling of low temperature RF plasmas. Often, the value of γ drastically affects the electron power absorption dynamics, the plasma parameters and the quality of the separate control of ion flux and mean ion energy at the electrodes. Experimental results for γ under plasma exposure are difficult to obtain. Therefore, γ is either assumed to be a constant chosen with some uncertainty, or is approximated as a quantity that is a function of the ion energy and cleanliness of the electrode surface. It is hypothesized that these assumptions are not valid for all materials and plasma conditions. In this work, Hagstrum's theory on Auger emission is suggested as a robust, ab initio model for accurately predicting γ for metal surfaces with a wide range of surface conditions and for a variety of ion species. To demonstrate the effect of the choice of γ on modeling results, we carry out particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations of 13.56 MHz, single-frequency argon and helium capacitive discharges. Simulations are run assuming that: (i) γ is a constant, (ii) γ is an energy and surface condition dependent quantity that is independent of the electrode material, and (iii) γ is obtained from the ab initio model for different clean metals. The energy distribution of the emitted electrons resulting from Hagstrum's theory is also implemented as a uniform, metal dependent distribution with physically accurate energy domain. It is found that this is important for some metals in both helium and argon. Lastly, it is observed that, depending on the assumed surface conditions, the plasma properties change dramatically. Based on these results we conclude that a realistic, material dependent implementation of γ is required to obtain realistic simulation results and that Hagstrum's model suits this purpose.Keywords: capacitive radio frequency plasmas, secondary electron emission coefficients, plasma surface interactions, electron heating, particle in cell simulations, ab initio modeling of secondary electron emission coefficients, Auger emission

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The multi-Terawatt laser system, terawatt apparatus for relativistic and nonlinear interdisciplinary science, has been recently installed in the Centre for Plasma Physics at the Queen's University of Belfast. The system will support a wide ranging science program, which will include laser-driven particle acceleration, X-ray lasers, and high energy density physics experiments. Here we present an overview of the laser system as well as the results of preliminary investigations on ion acceleration and X-ray lasers, mainly carried out as performance tests for the new apparatus. We also discuss some possible experiments that exploit the flexibility of the system in delivering pump-probe capability.

They were treated for specified time duration, at a constant applied power of 30 W. The plasma treatments lasted 2, 5 or 10 minutes..