6. Conclusion

This is just a brief introduction to plasmas. For more detailed information, readers will find more specialized documents on specific types of plasma, particularly in Techniques de l'Ingénieur. To conclude, I'll just mention the many fields in which plasmas are used, representing several hundred billion dollars in sales:

• light sources :

  • fluorescent tubes,

  • gas lamps,

  • gas lasers ;

• electrotechnics :

  • circuit breakers,

  • high-voltage lines ;

• telecommunications :

  • radio wave propagation in the upper atmosphere,

  • space communications...