Multipactor experiments on an S-band coaxial test cell

Abstract

Radio frequency vacuum electronics are prone to multipactor discharges. These electron discharges, driven by secondary electron emission, can disrupt and damage devices and are particularly important in satellite communication systems. We present results from a new S-band coaxial multipactor test cell which demonstrates scaling to much higher frequencies (3.05 GHz) than previous coaxial experiments (10–150 MHz). The multipactor breakdown threshold has been found to agree very well with our earlier simulated predictions. The significant effect from multipactor self-conditioning has also been demonstrated and characterized. Future experiments will use this test cell to investigate various multipactor mitigation strategies.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2021
Source ID
10.1063/5.0074464

Entities

People

  • Nicholas Jordan
  • Ronald Gilgenbach
  • Stephen V. Langellotti
  • Y. Y. Lau

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • L3Harris Technologies
  • University of Michigan

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Microwave Engineering.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster