Practical E-Beam Generation of Air Plasma for Airborne Applications
Abstract
The generation and sustainment of air plasma generated by a high-energy electron beam and a sustaining electric field was investigated theoretically and experimentally. Theoretical calculations of power quantify a factor of 2 reduction in power at 60 Torr for a sustaining electric field of 0.4 Td. The reduction in power occurs because the detachment rate of electrons from negative oxygen ions is high and more efficient than generating free electrons via impact ionization. Experimentally, a 100 keV electron beam, operating with a few mA of beam current, ionized air in a 400-liter test cell with pressure ranging from 1 mTorr to 638 Torr. Optical measurements quantified the electron density profile along an RF propagation path. A microwave detection system measured the magnitude and phase of a RF signal at 10 GHz. The relative magnitude and phase of the RF signal quantify the complex wavenumber and permit calculation of the electron density and momentum-transfer collision rate. Measurements in the presence of a sustaining electric field indicated an influence on the electron density. The initial result is encouraging but difficult to interpret due to experimental details.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA565343
Entities
People
- Robert J. Vidmar
Organizations
- University of Nevada, Reno