Microwave spark plug

Summary form only given. Results of coaxial microwave plasma source (plasmatron) unconventional construction ("microwave spark plug") investigation are presented. Microwave spark plug construction bases on a found and studied in the GPI phenomenon: low threshold microwave spark generation on the contacts between dielectric and metallic inclusions. Microsparks excited on the metal-dielectric interface are sources of intense UV radiation that creates photoionized "halo" in the surrounding gas medium. Interaction of microwave radiation with such a "halo" could be considered like a peculiar "non-self-sustained" discharge. Ionizing- thermal instabilities developing in such a discharge lead to the transformation of initially uniform plasma into a set of "threads" ("channels") with the abnormally high electron temperature and density as well as high gas temperature. Results of research of discharge dynamics as well as results of optical spectral measurements are presented and discussed. Such a discharge possible applications are analyzed. In particular as an alternative to the standard spark plug in the combustion engine