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Cyclotron harmonic emission in a Penning discharge

Citation

Wilgen, John B. (1975) Cyclotron harmonic emission in a Penning discharge. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/0Y87-V047. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07232014-141900755

Abstract

Microwave noise emission at the harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency from the magnetized plasma column of a Penning discharge is investigated experimentally. The harmonic emission spectrum is observed using oxygen gas in a variety of discharge configurations. It is found that grid stabilization of the plasma column has very little effect on the emission spectrum. Measurements of the shape and location of the harmonic emission lines are described in detail. On the basis of a microwave interferometer measurement of the electron density, it is concluded that the existence of a hybrid layer somewhere on the plasma column is a necessary condition for the observation of harmonic emission. The relaxation time and the cathode voltage dependence of the harmonic emission are investigated using a pulse modulation technique. It is found that the emission intensity increases rapidly with the magnitude of the cathode voltage and that the relaxation time decreases with increasing neutral gas pressure. High intensity nonharmonic radiation is observed and identified as resulting from a beam-plasma wave instability thereby eliminating the same instability as a possible source of the harmonic emission. It is found that the collective experimental results are in reasonable agreement with the single particle electrostatic radiation theory of Canobbio and Croci.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Electrical Engineering, Cyclotron harmonic, emission, Penning discharge
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Electrical Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Gould, Roy Walter
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:9 April 1975
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:07232014-141900755
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07232014-141900755
DOI:10.7907/0Y87-V047
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:8596
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Dan Anguka
Deposited On:23 Jul 2014 21:38
Last Modified:09 Nov 2022 19:20

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