Nonequilibrium plasma produced by microwave nanosecond radiation: parameters, kinetics, and practical applications

The results of the investigation of nonequilibrium plasma produced by powerful microwave nanosecond radiation is reviewed. Nanosecond microwave discharge is a new branch of gas discharge physics. At present, this type of discharge is intensively investigated. Interesting properties and peculiarities of such a discharge and various its applications are discussed, first of all for the creation of an artificial ionized layer (AIL) in the earth's atmosphere. The laboratory experiments performed and the new effects which appear in nanosecond microwave discharge are briefly summarized. Different applications of AIL are analyzed on the basis of the experimental modeling.