THE INFLUENCE OF THE PLASMA RESONANCE HEATING ON THE MAINTENANCE OF SURFACE-WAVE PRODUCED DISCHARGES

On the basis of the equations of hydrodynamics the radial temperature distribution of charged particles in surface wave produced plasmas is investigated, taking into account the nonlocal heating effect caused b y the enhanced radial component of the electric field in the presence of a plasma resonance region. It is shown that because of the latter e ffect the maintenance of the discharge may be mostly due to the enhanc ed radial component of the surface wave. The temperature of electrons and ions are shown to have maximum values near the wall of the dischar ge tube.