Abstract
A previously developed average electron theory for the ½-cycle multipacting mode of low-pressure, high-frequency breakdown (secondary electron resonance) has been generalized and extended to higher order modes. A semitheoretical plot of breakdown voltage vs the product of frequency times electrode separation using representative fitting parameters is given for the ½- through -cycle modes. In addition to the customary ½-cycle cutoff the theory predicts a modified cutoff in each of the mode transition regions. Breakdown data for internal metal electrodes at 2 microns pressure show the typical ½-cycle cutoff at about 100 Mc-cm/sec plus a newly observed -cycle cutoff as indicated by a dip in the breakdown curve at about 450 Mc-cm/sec. The -cycle dip exhibits a strong dependence on electrode surface conditions. The theory is compared with multipacting breakdown data from several sources covering a wide range of conditions, including microwave breakdown at sufficiently low pressures.
- Received 23 June 1958
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.112.681
©1958 American Physical Society