Measurement of the Electron Density in Ionized Gases by Microwave Techniques

Abstract

Methods are described in which microwave techniques are used to measure the electron density during the period following a discharge. By measuring the detuning of a resonant cavity containing electrons, it is possible to measure electron densities between 1010 and 106 electrons/cc in gases whose pressure may be varied over a wide range. Design criteria are given to permit proper operation of the method under the conditions encountered in a given experiment.