AN INVESTIGATION OF HIGH ENERGY RADIO PROPAGATION IN THE ATMOSPHERE.
Abstract
The results of rf breakdown measurements at 106 Mcs in a large waveguide are reported. Breakdown measurements for air, oxygen and nitrogen were made as a function of pressure (10-1000 microns), pulse length and pulse repetition frequency. The data indicate that when diffusion losses are minimized, a value of 30 volts per com-mmHg is obtained for the breakdown threshold over a pressure range from 200 - 1000 microns. The principle that ion cyclotron resonance in weakly ionized gases can be detected, and that the collision cross-section pertinent to the reaction can be determined from the resonance line width is proved. The effect of known processes of electron production and loss upon the steady-state electron concentration and upon atmospheric breakdown is discussed. Breakdown is described as a sudden increase in electron concentration occurring at a specific field, upon negligible increase of field from this value. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0423494
Entities
People
- Dennis P. Malone
- Robert E. Kell
- Walter A. Flood
Organizations
- Calspan