A 2D model for coaxial surface wave discharges

Summary form only given. Microwave discharges sustained by traveling electromagnetic waves have been attracting much attentions among others, because their broad range of operating conditions. Well known configurations are the cylindrical plasma columns generated by surfatron or surfaguide launchers. This study, however, is devoted the coaxial structure in which the plasma is created by a rod antenna positioned in the center of the setup. This wave launching antenna is surrounded by air at atmospheric pressure and a quartz tube separating the plasma from the antenna. This configuration can be regarded as a coaxial waveguide in which the rod is the inner conductor whereas the plasma plays the role of the outer conductor. The plasma and wave properties of coaxial surface wave discharges significantly differs from those created by other cylindrical structures. One main difference is the wave launcher, which for the coaxial discharge is a coaxial waveguide.