Angular dependence of the ion energy, charge, and mass distributions in surface discharge plasma

Previously, the ion energy, charge, and mass distributions in vacuum discharge plasma at the surface of polymeric insulators were studied using an analyzer oriented perpendicularly to the surface, and both multiply charged and high-energy ions were found in the plasma. This Letter presents the first experimental results on the dependence of the ion energy, charge, and mass distributions in the plasma on the particle take-off angle relative to the insulator surface.