Experiments on creation and maintenance of plasma in focused gyrotron radiation beam with frequency 1 THz

The first results of the study of the conditions of discharge generation in a focused beam of electromagnetic radiation of a gyrotron with a frequency of 1 THz are presented. The pressure breakdown limits of the working gas (argon) were determined (0.15–1.75 bar). The experimental results obtained correlate well with the calculations carried out earlier. The spatial dynamics of the discharge was investigated, and the propagation velocity of the discharge front as a function of gas pressure was measured. Assumptions are made about the mechanism of discharge propagation.