Electric glow discharges (glows) can be found almost everywhere, from atmospheric electricity to modern plasma technologies, and have long been the object of research. The main purpose of this book is to provide simple illustrations of the basic physical mechanisms and principles that determine the properties of electric glow discharges. It should enable readers to successfully participate in scientific and technical progress.

Electric glow discharges (glows) can be found almost everywhere, from atmospheric electricity to modern plasma technologies, and have long been the object of research. The main purpose of this book is to provide simple illustrations of the basic physical mechanisms and principles that determine the properties of electric glow discharges. It should enable readers to successfully participate in scientific and technical progress.

Atmospheric-pressure plasmas continue to attract considerable research interest due to their diverse applications, including high power lasers, opening switches, novel plasma processing applications and sputtering, EM absorbers and reflectors, remediation of gaseous pollutants, excimer lamps, and other noncoherent light sources. Atmospheric-pressure plasmas in air are of particular importance as they can be generated and maintained without vacuum enclosure and without any additional feed gases. Non-Equilibrium Air Plasmas at Atmospheric Pressure reviews recent advances and applications in the generation and maintenance of atmospheric-pressure plasmas. With contributions from leading international researchers, the coverage includes advances in atmospheric-pressure plasma source development, diagnostics and characterization, air plasma chemistry, modeling and computational techniques, and an assessment of the status and prospects of atmospheric-pressure air plasma applications. The extensive application sections make this book attractive for practitioners in many fields where technologies based on atmospheric-pressure air plasmas are emerging.

Chemical Kinetics relates to the rates of chemical reactions and factors such as concentration and temperature, which affects the rates of chemical reactions. Such studies are important in providing essential evidence as to the mechanisms of chemical processes. The book is designed to help the reader, particularly students and researchers of physical science, understand the chemical kinetics mechanics and chemical reactions. The selection of topics addressed and the examples, tables and graphs used to illustrate them are governed, to a large extent, by the fact that this book is aimed primarily at physical science (mainly chemistry) technologists. Undoubtedly, this book contains "must read" materials for students, engineers, and researchers working in the chemistry and chemical kinetics area. This book provides valuable insight into the mechanisms and chemical reactions. It is written in concise, self-explanatory and informative manner by a world class scientists in the field.

The Advanced Study Institute on Breakdown and Discharges in Gases was held in Les Arcs, France, June 28 to July 10, 1981. The object of the Institute was to provide a broad but compre hensive presentation of the various topics in the field of Gaseous electronics. To achieve this goal, a number of lectures, seminars, and panel discussions were scheduled. Each topic was developed by two tutorial and/or review lectures, and brought to the present state of the topic by seminars and panel discussions. The program of topics and speakers was selected with the assistance of the advisory committee composed of: J. A. Rees, European Coordinator, England; M. Goldman, French Coordinator, France; A. H. Guenther, USA; M. Kristiansen, USA; and A. V. Phelps, USA. The most memorable aspect of the Institute was the sustained high interest of the faculty and participants for the two week period. The daily schedule was demanding: five hours of lectures, two hours of seminars and one of discussion. These sessions were often extended because of presentation by the participants of im proptu seminars. The discussions were intense. Majestic }10nt Blanc provided the backdrop for the lecture hall, and these surroundings and the weather contributed to the overall positive mood. It was a wonderful occasion. The lectures and seminars have been collected into two volumes.