Summary
An expression is derived of Townsend's ionization coefficient in terms of electric field and pressure, which fits the experimental data for air in the rangeE/p=10 to 103 Volts/cm×mm Hg.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Townsend, J. S., Electricity in Gases, Oxford University Press, 1914.
Engel, A. Von, Ionized Gases, Oxford University Press, 1955.
Condon, E. U. and H. Odishaw, Handbook of Physics, McGraw Hill, 1958.
Meek, J. M. and J. D. Craggs, Electrical Breakdown of Gases, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1953.
Loeb, L. B., Fundamental Processes in Electrical Discharge in Gases, John Wiley and Sons, 1939.
Chapman, S. and T. G. Cowling, The Mathematical Theory of Non-Uniform Gases, Cambridge University Press, 1958.
Cahn, J. H., Phys. Rev.75 (1949) 293.
Massey, H. S. W. and E. H. S. Burhop, Electronic and Ionic Impact Phenomena, Oxford University Press, 1952.
Loeb, L. B., Basic Processes of Gaseous Electronics, University of California Press, 1955.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported by the U.S. Air Force through the Propulsion Division, Directorate of Engineering Sciences, Office of Aerospace Research, AFGLR, under contract AF 49 (638) - 1445.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kontaratos, A.N. On the functional dependence of Townsend's first ionization coefficient. Appl. Sci. Res. 12, 27–32 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382104
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382104