Breakdown and discharge propagation in microwave fields in inert and molecular gases

Microwave discharges initiated at field intensities lower than threshold value for gas breakdown tend to propagate towards the source of electromagnetic radiation. The authors review the existing experimental data and the models of discharge propagation. The role of different mechanisms of propagation in various experimental conditions is discussed. Results of numerical modeling of discharge propagation in inert and molecular gases are presented. The model presented gives an approach to the description of the plane front propagation of nonequilibrium stimulated microwave discharge in inert and molecular gases