Microwave gas discharge breakdown

Summary A brief survey of microwave gas discharge breakdown is given. The conditions for breakdown in electron attaching and non-attaching gases is discussed. Results for air show both electron attachment and diffusion are operating. Hydrogen is taken as an example of a gas in which electron attachment is absent. For this case, data in the low pressure region, in the diffusion controlled region, and in the mobility controlled region are discussed and the results of the many studies in these regions are shown to be consistent with each other.This work was supported in part by the Signal Corps; the Office of Scientific Research, Air Research and Development Command; and the Office of Naval Research; of the United States of America.