Physical properties of a transverse high-frequency gas discharge. I. Basic properties and physical model of the discharge

Experimental and theoretical investigations of a transverse HF discharge are carried out. A physical model of the discharge is proposed which accounts for the entire range of experimentally observed properties of such a discharge. The features of electron density and temperature radial distributions, spontaneous radiation intensity, laser radiation gain factor in the discharge plasma are covered. Part II covers the stability and uniformity of the discharge plasma column at high values of the discharge current and the conditions of formation and shape of the spatially nonuniform structures arising in the plasma as a result of decreasing discharge current.