Microwave breakdown of gas in a circular tube with a radius below the cut-off value
Abstract
The mechanisms of gaseous breakdown by microwaves launched in a circular tube with a radius below the cut-off value for the dominant empty waveguide mode (TE_11) is investigated theoretically. The axial location of breakdown from the tube entrance is estimated for important modes, TE_11, TM_01 and TE_01, from requirements of the threshold electric field. The spatial variation of the electromagnetic fields and the location of breakdown inside the tube have been investigated for tubes of various radii. The study would be helpful to explain the mechanisms of plasma production and maintenance in a narrow tube with a dimension below the cut-off value.^1-4 ^1 S. Bhattacharjee and H. Amemiya, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 37 5742 (1998) ^2 S. Bhattacharjee and H. Amemiya, Rev. Sci. Instrum., 70 3332 (1999) ^3 S. Bhattacharjee and H. Amemiya, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 33 1104 (2000)
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- October 2000
- Bibcode:
- 2000APS..DPPYP1020B