Effect of secondary electron emission on surface wave propagation

This study aims to contribute to the analysis of the mechanisms of surface-wave-energy absorption. The discussion is based on a consideration of emissive processes from dielectric surface, which is in contact with collisional nonisothermal plasma, and on an analysis of secondary electron motion in the wave-fields. Through electron acceleration due to the action of ponderomotive force, the secondary emission affects the wave behavior. The conditions of the existence of secondary-emission-induced absorption of the wave are analyzed and its role in maintenance of wave-produced gas discharges, as one of its applications, is discussed as well.