Field enhanced microwave breakdown in gas for a plasma limiter

Summary form only given, as follows. A new type of plasma limiter is being developed capable of turnon in less than 1 nsec. The approach taken is to initiate streamer breakdown via a micron radius needle tip. Studies were conducted on breakdown with a variety of gases at pressures from 10/sup 3/ to 10/sup -2/ torr. Gases tested included dry air, neon, argon, and krypton. Studies were also conducted on dc-voltage biasing the needle and its effect on breakdown. The experimental setup uses an S-band traveling wave resonant ring (TWRR) capable of power levels up to 100 MW when coupled to a 2.85 GHz, 4 MW, magnetron. High speed diagnostics with a response on the order of 1 ns record the microwave power, luminosity, and x-rays. A high speed CCD camera with an adjustable exposure time down to 10 nsec records a snapshot of the breakdown sequence. Preliminary results exhibit a reduction in expected gas breakdown levels by over two orders of magnitude.