Polyphase (non-resonant) multipactor in rectangular waveguides

The polyphase multipactor, i.e. the non-resonant form of secondary electron emission rf discharges in vacuum, has been analysed and studied experimentally. The multipactor discharge was observed in an evacuated standard rectangular waveguide through which pulsed high-power microwave radiation in the decimeter wavelength range was transmitted. The power interval in which the two-sided (between the wide walls of the waveguide) multipactor appeared has been determined. It is found that there is a characteristic delay time for the onset of the multipactor breakdown as compared with the time at which the microwave power is applied. The dependence of this delay time on the microwave power has been established. The experimental results are compared with results of numerical simulations which make it possible to estimate the secondary emission properties of the waveguide walls. Reasons for some observed discrepancies between numerical results and experimental data are discussed as well as the nature of the observed multipactor delay.