Effect of air breakdown on microwave pulse energy transmission

The energy transmission of the long microwave pulse for the frequency of 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz is studied by using the electron fluid model, where the rate coefficients are deduced from the Boltzmann equation solver named BOLSIG+. The breakdown thresholds for different air pressures and incident pulse parameters are predicted, which show good agreement with the experimental data. Below the breakdown threshold, the transmitted pulse energy is proportional to the square of the incident electric field amplitude. When the incident electric field amplitude higher than the breakdown threshold increases, the transmitted pulse energy decreases monotonously at a high air pressure, while at a low air pressure it first decreases and then increases. We also compare the pulse energy transmission for the frequency of 2.45 GHz with the case of 5.8 GHz. (paper)