Impact of microwave discharges on the lower ionosphere and middle atmosphere

The behaviour of the lower ionosphere and middle atmosphere during microwave discharges at 30 – 60 km altitude is investigated. The developed plasmachemical model includes 166 processes for 19 minor neutral (including excited) components and for 13 charged species. The distinctive differences of this model from previous investigations are (1) the equation system is closed assuming undisturbed conditions, (2) the inclusion of additional reactions involving hydrogen components, and (3) considerable improvement of the reaction scheme for ionized components. The results are analyzed in three main aspects: the behavior of the minor neutral and excited components, variations of charged species including the electron concentration, and finally possible influence of the air heating on the plasma chemistry.