Plasma parameters of diffusion-controlled microwave discharges in surface-wave fields

Results from diagnostics of diffusion-controlled stationary gas discharges maintained in the field of propagating surface waves are presented in this study. The set of the plasma parameters obtained includes: 1) the plasma density (n) over bar, averaged over the discharge cross section, and its axial profile (n) over bar (z); 2) the electron-neutral elastic collision frequency v; 3) the parameter mu which describes the radial profile of the plasma density; 4) the parameter (D, the power absorbed on average by an electron, and its axial variation circle minus(z); 5) the electron temperature T-e(z); and 6) the gas temperature T-g. The mechanisms of electron heating and discharge self-consistency are discussed.