SURFACE-WAVE SUSTAINED PLASMAS IN A METAL-BOUND PLASMA SLAB

Standing electron surface waves have been used to naturally sustain a plasma discharge. This work differs from previous studies of surface w ave discharges in that, here, we focus on surface waves excited in a m etal bound plasma slab which propagate along the plasma/sheath boundar y and sustain a discharge. Our 'experimental' results are obtained fro m electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations with Monte Carlo collis ions of a 2d3v plasma. Results are analysed for discharges operating o ver a range of frequencies, neutral gas pressures and antenna design.