Abstract
The circumferential component of electric field Etheta required to initiate the transition from the first to the second stage of the ring discharge was measured in the pressure range 10-3-Torr in hydrogen while the field frequency was varied between 3 and 20 MHz. It was found that Etheta decreased with the increase in p, reached a minimum, and then increased with the further increase in p. Etheta also increased with the increase in f. However, at higher p the influence of f on Etheta was less noticeable. At lower f and lower p when the wall collisions were the dominant factor, no discharge could be produced. These observations are explained in simple physical terms.

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