Microwave Studies of the Electron Loss Processes in Gaseous Discharges

A method for studying electron loss processes in gaseous discharges by means of the free transmission of microwave signals through the discharge is discussed. This method has the advantage that it is easily adaptable to any size or shape of discharge tube. The electron loss processes in pure hydrogen have been studied using this method. For electron densities of 5×{}10¹³ cm^-3, the electron-ion recombination coefficient has been found to be approximately 5.9×{}10^-11 cm^-3 sec^-1. An electron-neutral collision frequency of 3.97×{}10⁹ sec^-1 at a pressure of 0.29 mm Hg has been measured. The dominant loss process proved to be attachment, with a probability of attachment of approximately 3×{}10^-6.