Research on Properties of High Current, Low Frequency Electrodeless Discharges

摘要

Alternating current, low pressure electrodeless discharges were excited in cesium, rubidium, potassium, and mercury vapors by magnetic induction. In each case the discharge tube was a toroid forming the secondary of an iron core transformer whose frequency range was 1 to 40 kc. The resistivities of the discharges were measured as a function of current density (1 to 30 amp/sq cm) and pressure (1 to 300 microns). The discharges were diffusion controlled and strongly ionized with electron-charged particle interactions being the principal contribution to resistivity. Resistivities were of the order of 0.2 omega cm. (Author)