A comprehensive and unique account of the creation of artificially ionized layers in the middle and upper atmosphere, using powerful radio waves. Major physical mechanisms associated with the formation of the ionized region are studied in detail. The main part of the author's research is devoted to problems associated with the breakdown mechanisms for radio frequency discharges in air. A special chapter deals with breakdown in intersecting pulsed beams and the effects of recombination, diffusion and atmospheric winds on the stability of the structure. The kinetics of the plasma produced are also described. The authors examine possibilities of inducing changes in the chemical composition of the upper atmosphere by means of radio frequence heating, with promising effects on the concentration of constituents such as ozone. The feasibility of using this phenomenon for; ozone healing - in connection with the ozone holes in the polar regions is investigated. The text is a timely treatment of key topics in the field of ionospheric modification.

Proceedings of a NATO ARW held in Vimeiro, Portugal, May 11-15, 1992

Specialists in different areas of microwave plasma physics, technique, and plasma processing cover all problems of theory, experiments, and applications of microwave discharges, and yield the state-of-the-art trends.

This text is an introduction to the physics of collisional plasmas, as opposed to plasmas in space. It is intended for graduate students in physics and engineering . The first chapter introduces with progressively increasing detail, the fundamental concepts of plasma physic. The motion of individual charged particles in various configurations of electric and magnetic fields is detailed in the second chapter while the third chapter considers the collective motion of the plasma particles described according to a hydrodynamic model. The fourth chapter is most original in that it introduces a general approach to energy balance, valid for all types of discharges comprising direct current(DC) and high frequency (HF) discharges, including an applied static magnetic field. The basic concepts required in this fourth chapter have been progressively introduced in the previous chapters. The text is enriched with approx. 100 figures, and alphabetical index and 45 fully resolved problems. Mathematical and physical appendices provide complementary information or allow to go deeper in a given subject.

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.