Self-consistent model of a pulsed air discharge excited by surface waves

A complete self-consistent electrodynamic model of a pulsed gas discharge e xcited by surface waves is developed. The model allows one to calculate bot h the initial phase of the discharge front propagation and the parameters o f the produced plasma. The spatiotemporal evolution of the electromagnetic field and plasma parameters at the discharge front is investigated for the first time. It is shown that discharge propagation is mainly governed by a breakdown wave in an inhomogeneous electric field at the leading edge of th e ionization front. It is found that the effect of the electric field enhan cement in the plasma resonance region significantly affects the velocity of the breakdown wave. The results of calculations agree well with experiment al data. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/lnterperiodica".