Electron-Ion Recombination in Air at EMP Fields.
Abstract
A pulsed electron beam and a parallel plate ion chamber have been used to measure the electron ion recombination coefficient, beta sub e, in dry and moist air as a function of the electric field. In moist air the value at 1000 V/cm (100,000 V/m) is in agreement with the value normally used in EMP calculations and results from the agglomeration and clustering of the air ions. An increase in beta sub e at lower fields is consistent with a recombination process in which H2O molecules act as a third body. The dry air results are a decade below the moist air values at a given field. Direct measurement of the equilibrium field, E sub s, was made and found to be consistent with the value expected from the measured recombination coefficient. The measured values of beta sub e and E sub s show that three-body recombination is not a significant electron removal process at EMP fields.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 12, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA166211
Entities
People
- J. G. Chervenak
- V. A. J. Van Lint