ELECTRON BEAM PLASMA SUBMILLIMETER GENERATION.
Abstract
A stable cesium plasma with a density of 10 to the 15th power ions/cc (plasma frequency, 300 kMc) and 50% ionization was produced by a modified Penning arc. The hot anode cylinder is shown to be a significant factor in the achievement of the very dense highly ionized plasma. Ionic sound waves, which are normally present in the Penning arc, were damped by ionneutral collisions when the neutral density increased above 10 to the 15th power ions/cc. An optical system for verifying probe density measurements by measuring Stark broadening of cesium spectral lines has been assembled. The diffusion equation which is assumed to describe the plasma density in the Penning arc was solved for the case of weakly ionized plasma. The plasma coupler has been constructed, and a tubular argon plasma has been produced in the coupler. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0420979
Entities
People
- G. A. Swartz
Organizations
- RCA Corporation