Experimental Investigation Of Atmospheric Pressure Surface Wave Discharges.

Microwave atmospheric pressure discharge in neon sustained by surface waves in a dielectric tube is considered. The plasma column length was measured versus absorbed microwave power for different discharge conditions. This gives a view on the wave propagation characteristics. The predicted dependence of discharge length on the total flux of wave power based on the modified model of non-equilibrium plasma is compared with experimental values. Moreover, we present results of spectroscopic investigations of the electron density. The electron density was determined using the method based on the Stark broadening of Hβ spectral line. The spectroscopic results we shall use developing of a model of propagation of surface wave. © 2006 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]