PARASITIC RF GAS DISCHARGES AS RECTIFIERS AND INTERFERENCE GENERATORS
Abstract
Gas discharges can be maintained in air at atmospheric pressure by rf power. In high intensity fields, for example in the vicinity of radiating antennas, enough power can be coupled into conducting structures to make parasitic discharges possible. They may be started when intermittent contact between conductors is made. It has been found that the discharges are of two distinct types, an rf glow and an rf arc type. If the discharge type alternates with the polarity, highly asymmetric voltage current characteristic result. This allows rf discharges to rectify rf currents. By their nonlinear characteristics they also produce numerous harmonics of the frequency at which they are maintained. Thus parasitic rf discharges can act as broad band interference generators.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0712764
Entities
People
- Helmut A. Schwab
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division