Guided-Wave-Produced Plasmas provides an up-to-date report of the physics of plasmas produced by the high-frequency electromagnetic fields of guided waves. The modelling of discharges generated by travelling surface waves is presented using a unified approach based on modern aspects of nonlinear plasma theory. Diagnostic methods needed for research and the main experimental results on plasma behaviour are covered in detail. The methods and ideas presented in this book possess great potential for a wide variety of applications in plasma technology.

1. Introduction.- 1.1 The Structure of the Book.- 2. Basic Relations.- 2.1 Basic Laws of Plasma Electrodynamics.- 2.2 Basic Equations for Modelling Gas Discharges.- 3. Surface-Wave Propagation in Homogeneous Plasmas.- 3.1 Remarks on Classification.- 3.2 Single Plane Interface.- 3.3 Plasma Slabs and Plasma Columns.- 4. Surface-Wave Propagation in Inhomogeneous Plasmas.- 4.1 Main Aspects Treated in this Chapter.- 4.2 Inhomogeneity in the Transverse Direction.- 4.3 Inhomogeneity in the Longitudinal Direction.- 4.4 Calculations with Both Transverse and Longitudinal Inhomogeneities.- 5. Fluid Theory of Surface-Wave-Produced Plasmas.- 5.1 Surface-Wave-Sustained Discharges: Nonlinear Systems Unifying Plasma and Wave Field.- 5.2 The Set of Equations.- 5.3 Ionization Nonlinearity.- 5.4 The Electrodynamic Part of the Problem of Maintenance of a Waveguided Discharge.- 5.5 Self-Consistent Axial Structure.- 5.6 Axial Density Profiles.- 6. Kinetic Numerical Modelling.- 6.1 Nonlocal Model.- 6.2 Local Approach.- 6.3 Transition Regime.- 7. Experimental Aspects.- 7.1 Experimental Conditions.- 7.2 Diagnostic Methods.- 7.3 Summary of Observations.- 7.4 Open Questions and Related Areas of Research.- 7.5 Applicational Aspects.- References.