Microwave harmonic generation in a plasma capacitor

Microwave harmonic generation in a plasma capacitor is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Deficiencies of previous harmonic generation theories are pointed out and a nonlinear one-dimensional mathematical model, which includes the reactive nonlinearity due to the spatial variation of E, is developed. This nonlinear plasma capacitor model indicates that, under certain electron density and capacitor plate spacing conditions, strong harmonic resonances are present. These resonances occur when n ω1= ωpand n ω1> ωpwhere ωp= plasma frequency, ω1= the fundamental frequency and n is the harmonic number.