Time-space self-consistent dynamics of surface-wave produced discharges inpulsed regime operation

A model for the dynamics of gas discharge production in a diffusion control led regime by pulses carried by surface waves is presented. The model is wi thin the fluid plasma theory. It combines ideas for a diffusion advance of the plasma and for a breakdown wave. A numerical solution of the problem is given. Results for the self-consistent time-space dynamics of plasma densi ty and wave-field intensity are obtained from which values for the ionizati on front velocity are extracted. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S 1070-664X(99)01909-6].