A Microwave Study of Moving Striations Using Cavity Techniques

Variation of charge density in the positive column of a dc discharge due to the presence of a moving striation is investigated. A microwave cavity operating in the TM010 mode is used to measure the effects of the striation on the resonant frequency of the cavity. The results of the microwave measurements are compared with the photomultiplier data and the probe characteristics. Although no quantitatively accurate data could be obtained from the microwave measurement, some interesting results which contradict qualitatively previous observations of the striation are presented.