Pulsed discharges produced by strong microwaves

The paper reviews the main types of pulsed self-sustained discharges produced in gas by strong microwaves. The paper lists base types of microwave generators used to produce pulsed discharges and classifies the discharges relative to their base parameters : the way the discharge gets localized in a limited space, amplitude and frequency of the microwave field, gas pressure and composition, duration of microwave pulses. The paper analyses potentials of pulsed microwave discharges for manufacture of diamond films, ozone generation and pumping of nitrogen and excimer lasers

Pulsed discharges produced by surface waves

This paper presents a description of several efficient and easy-to-operate launchers intended for the pulsed regime. Two novel types of launchers which allow the use of high microwave power and high wave frequency are suggested. Using one of this launcher for the first time, high power SWs were excited in the 8-mm wavelength band. The paper also reviews the mechanisms of advance of the ionization front along the plasma column