RESEARCH ON PLASMA ACCELERATION BY ELECTRIC FIELD GRADIENT
Abstract
Theoretical studies of plasma acceleration by an rf field gradient indicated that a plasma will be accelerated toward the low-field region if the applied frequency is greater than the critical frequency of the plasma, and toward the high-field region if the frequency is less than the critical frequency. Calculations for the acceleration of plasma spheres and ellipsoids of arbitrary orientation with respect to the rf field have been completed. Experiments with plasmas of various densities have demonstrated both the acceleration and deceleration of the plasmas as predicted by theory. Mercury plasma has been accelerated with a 140-Mc rf field gradient to a velocity of 25 x 100,000 cm/sec, equivalent to a specific impulse of 2500 seconds. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1960
- Accession Number
- AD0613307
Entities
Organizations
- Sarnoff Corporation