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MICROWAVE STUDIES OF A PULSED GLOW DISCHARGE

Journal Article · · Physical Review (U.S.) Superseded in part by Phys. Rev. A, Phys. Rev. B: Solid State, Phys. Rev. C, and Phys. Rev. D
An investigation of the behavior of a pulsed glow discharge in helium is made using a microwave method (3kMc) supplemented by light intensity and spectroscopic measurements. The discharge tube is mounted across a section of rectangular waveguide, parallel to the electric field vector of the TE/sub 10/ mode. Time-resolved microwave admittance measurements and dielectric post theory are used to determine the variation in parameters for the section of the discharge within the waveguide. The method is particularly suitable for high electron densities, and resolutions of 1 cm along the axis of the discharge and 1 ue sec in time can be obtained without difficulty. The variation in discharge parameters is studied when rectangular current pulses of a few mllliamperes are superimposed on a small d-c maintaining current. A low pulse- repetition frequency is used and the admittance measurements are recorded photographically in order to minimize changes in discharge characteristics and to extend the useful life of the discharge tubes. Sufficient results are obtained to give a qualitative picture of the behavior of a glow discharge under transient conditions, and a recombination coefficient for helium of approximately 10/sup -8/ cm/sup 3/ion sec is measured during the afterglow period. This result is in agreement with results obtained by other microwave methods. (auth)
Research Organization:
Univ. of Edinburgh
NSA Number:
NSA-16-033956
OSTI ID:
4777462
Journal Information:
Physical Review (U.S.) Superseded in part by Phys. Rev. A, Phys. Rev. B: Solid State, Phys. Rev. C, and Phys. Rev. D, Journal Name: Physical Review (U.S.) Superseded in part by Phys. Rev. A, Phys. Rev. B: Solid State, Phys. Rev. C, and Phys. Rev. D Vol. Vol: 127; ISSN PHRVA
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English