Effect of Preionization on Microwave Breakdown in Neon

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Abstract
Microwave breakdown field strengths at 3.06 GHz have been measured in neon as a function of electron concentration present at the time of application of the field. Measurements were made for initial electron concentrations varying from about 106 to 109 cm−3, for three cavity diffusion lengths, and pressures varying from about 0.2 to 80 Torr. Decreases in breakdown field strength of more than 80% are observed as electron concentration increases enough to change the electron loss process from free‐electron diffusion to ambipolar diffusion.