EXTERNALLY EXCITED TRAVELING PULSES IN A NEON GLOW DISCHARGE.

Abstract

Observations were made of artificially excited fluctuations in a cold cathode, neon glow discharge over a pressure range of 3.5 to 8 mm Hg and a current range of 0.1 to 2.0 ma. within this range was a region of operation free of striations. The positive column was excited with 0.2-10 microseconds pulses through a small coil wound around the positive column. Photomultiplier outputs, floating probe voltage, and samples of the discharge current were monitored on an oscilloscope. There are indications that a diffusing-impulse type disturbance with a velocity on the order of 10 to the 7th power cm/sec originates at the pulsed coil, travels toward the cathode, and initiates waves of stratification in the cathodic region. A transverse magnetic field of about 1000 gauss interupts the propagation of the fast-traveling disturbance and of the wave of stratification. Data are presented showing stratificttion group velocity, phase velocity, wavelength, and frequency as a function of pressure and current. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0481298

Entities

People

  • Lawrence J. Ratto

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Frequency
  • Glow Discharges
  • Group Velocity
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Microsecond Time
  • Observation
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Phase Velocity
  • Stratification
  • Striations
  • Transverse

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Plasma Physics.