MILLIMETER WAVE COMPONENT DEVELOPMENT (BEAM PLASMA AMPLIFIER).
Abstract
The requirements of plasmas for use in milli meter- and submillimeter-wave beam-plasma ampli fiers are discussed. The criteria are described for determining the gas type and pressure in terms of the mean-free-path of beam electrons. The restrictions placed on magnetic fields and stability problems are also discussed. Methods of generating high-density, highly-ionized plasmas are described and results are presented of some initial experiments. These experiments involve a two-hot-cathode PIG discharge whose plasma density is measured with a Langmuir probe. Preliminary measurements indicate that plasma densities over 5 times 10 to the 13th power per cubic centimeter are easily obtained. These densities were obtained with xenon gas at a pressure of 0torr. Critical magnetic fields were observed above which anomalous diffusion is obtained. Some of the conclusions reached are that magnetic fields should be kept below critical values, and that, in view of the pre sent experimental results, the convenient attain ment of much higher plasma densities is encour aging. Other conclusions are also made and recommendations for future work are presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0419455
Entities
People
- Grant E. St. John
- Paul Chorney
Organizations
- M/A-COM Technology Solutions