Spectral Signatures from Short-Pulse Microwave Air Breakdown

摘要

Air breakdown N sub 2 + signatures are studied over a range of air pressures from 0.4 to 150 Torr. Short microwave pulses of frequency 3 GHz, approx. 6 ns duration and approx. 0.5 GW peak power are focused to produce air breakdown in a pressure cell region removed from walls. Diagnostics include microwave power measurements, spectroscopy, photometry and CCD imaging. Spectral signature variation with pressure, in addition to breakdown phenomenology, is discussed. 65 figs. (ERA citation 12:021421)