Mitigation of secondary arcing in spacecraft electronic equipment

Here we present experimental data that demonstrate the possibility to detect defects in protective dielectrics covering printed circuit boards (PCBs) and to prevent secondary arcing after primary arc events. The detection of defects in a PCB is based on its plasma scanning and measurements of plasma-to-PCB electron currents through defects, allowing one to identify even their hidden forms. Once all defects are detected and healed, the PCB shows its proper operation in a plasma environment.