Intense and Short Pulse Electric Field (DC and Microwave) Air Breakdown Parameters

Abstract

Experimental data for the drift velocity and Townsend ionization coefficient in N2 and O2 are utilized to obtain the ionization rates in N2, O2 and air. These rates are given over a wide range of E/p and differ from those of Felsenthal and Proud at high E/p because of the draft velocity dependence on E/ p. Felsenthal and Proud assume a linear dependence on E/p while experimentally, especially at high E/p, this dependence varies as square root of E/p. The developed rates agree well with recent experimental short pulse air breakdown data and are recommended for use in high power microwave (short pulse) air breakdown and propagation calculations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 29, 1986
Accession Number
ADA172227

Entities

People

  • A. W. Ali

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Coefficients
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Experimental Data
  • Frequency
  • High Power Microwaves
  • Ionization
  • Measurement
  • Microwaves
  • Momentum Transfer
  • Radiation
  • Security

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Occupational Health and Safety.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy