ABSTRACT
Short-pulse, high-power microwaves were earlier applied for several studies such as gaseous breakdown [1-6], pulse propagation [7], material surface processing [8], excimer discharges [9], and even for environmental amelioration [10,11]. These studies are concerned with the determination of the breakdown of electric fields [1-6], effect on pulse propagation through a plasma layer [7], surface modification by plasma formed near the sample [8], sustainment of high-pressure discharges for lighting applications [9], and environmental remediation using air plasma chemistry in the atmosphere [10,11]. However, little information can be obtained from them regarding the characteristics of the plasma produced by such short-pulse, high-power microwaves. Of interest is knowledge of the plasma parameters and characteristics of the temporally evolving plasma after the launching of the highpower waves in a short pulse.
