AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF RADIATION ON THE PROPOGATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNALS IN AIR
Abstract
A technique has been developed for measuring thermal electron processes in gases in a steady state experiment obviating the need to make transient measurements in the afterglow. 1.5 MeV electrons from an accelerator irradiate the gas uniformly, producing ions and secondary electrons which are rapidly thermalized by gas collisions. The gas is contained in a 710 liter cylindrical rf cavity resonant in the TE sub 011 mode at 390 Mcps to permit microwave diangostics. The large cavity size minimizes wall effects, and ultra- high vacuum techniques safeguard gas purity. Preliminary measurements of steady-state ionization made in oxygen will be presented. The data yield an electron removal process linear in electron density, and varying with the square of the gas pressure with the rate coefficient 1. 9x10 to the-30 power cm to the 6th power / sec. This is identified as three-body attachment of electrons to O sub 2 in view of the agreement with published values for this rate coefficient.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0419133
Entities
People
- M. N. Hirsh
- P. N. Eisner