Relation between electrostatic discharge rate and outgassing rate

Sections of solar panel and reflector were charged in a 25-keV electron beam. The measured outgassing and discharge rates varied coincidentally, indicating that outgassing is a contributing cause of discharges. Some dependence of outgassing on ESD (electrostatic discharge) was observed during the test. Large discharges resulted in sharp instantaneous increases in the outgassing rate. Outgassing then quickly stabilized to its predischarge level and continue to follow a downward trend. This suggests that outgassing depends on ESD on a short-term (transient) basis and that the overall outgassing pattern is not changed by ESD. These facts led to the conclusion that outgassing is likely to be the cause rather than the effect of the discharge.>