APPLICATION OF A MICROWAVE TECHNIQUE TO THE MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRON DENSITY AND RELAXATION TIME.

Abstract

The measurement of ionization rate, electron density and ionization relaxation time in thermally ionized gases, by means of a microwave technique is discussed. The technique used in this work utilizes a so-called end wall microwave resonant cavity. It is essentially a microwave cavity operated in the TE011 mode with a plasma forming one end wall. Since the resonant frequency of such a cavity is a function of the axial length of the cavity, a variable density plasma with its corresponding variable conductivity is utilized to tune the cavity to different resonant frequencies. It is shown that by applying two frequencies to the cavity separated from each other by a known delta f, which is small compared to the resonant frequency of the closed cavity, a simple method is arrived at to measure electron density, ionization rate and ionization relaxation time. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0484066

Entities

People

  • Edward F. Dawson
  • Samuel Lederman

Organizations

  • New York University Tandon School of Engineering

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cavity Resonators
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Frequency
  • Ionization
  • Ionized Gases
  • Measurement
  • Microwaves
  • Relaxation Time
  • Resonant Frequency

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics