High Power Microwave Research, Atmospheric Plasma Phenomena, Ultra- Wideband Propagation and Generation

摘要

The primary objectives of this effort were to investigate gas breakdown, plasma antennas, and laser induced plasmas in the atmosphere. The contractor investigated the electrical breakdown of different types of gas under very fast transient voltage excitation. The research addresses different types of gas under different conditions of pressure, temperature, and electrical field stress as expressed on a Paschen curve. The contractor also investigated the feasibility of generating and shaping conducting plasma to be used as an antenna and generating a conducting path in the atmosphere using a high power laser.