ATMOSPHERIC BREAKDOWN
Abstract
The propagation of a microwave beam of high energy through the atmosphere is treated in connection with the problem of the breakdown of the atmosphere. A density of a few electrons is first considered. Under the influence of the field, these electrons are accelerated and, in colliding with the various atoms, pick up sufficient energy to undergo an ionizing collision with an atom. This process continues until the density of electrons is sufficently high to reflect the microwave beam. Ionization is thus the basic process of the buildup of density of electrons. The story, however, is not so simple. A number of electron loss mechanisms are present; e.g. diffusion, attachment, and recombination processes. These processes are not all important simultaneously. In Section II, a simple theory of breakdown is described which is applied to attachmentcontrolled, diffusion-controlled breakdown. Sections III and IV we discuss breakdown times and the case of pulsed radiation. In Section V, a short discussion is presented of the theory. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1960
- Accession Number
- AD0261519
Entities
People
- K.a. Brueckner
- R. Akerib
Organizations
- General Dynamics