Microwave Energy Coupling in a Nitrogen-Breakdown Plasma

Abstract

Computer simulations of microwave coupling to a nitrogen-breakdown plasma have been performed at 25 Torr. Nonhydrodynamic ionization fronts are observed to propagate toward the radiation source under a variety of circumstances. Free-nitrogen-breakdown simulations in a spherical system show the propagation velocity of the breakdown wave can be as high as 5 x 10 (expn 6) cm/sec. An elementary theory is used for estimating the speed of the breakdown wave in one dimension. The results are in reasonable agreement with breakdown experiments.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADA126154

Entities

People

  • A. W. Ali
  • C. L. Yee
  • W. M. Bollen

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aspect Ratio
  • Chemistry
  • Coefficients
  • Computer Simulations
  • Current Density
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • Gas Breakdown
  • Gas Heating
  • Ionization
  • Momentum Transfer
  • Radiation
  • Simulations
  • Standing Waves
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.