  A simple analytical model of the barrier discharge in a long gap between
opposing plane electrodes is developed. It is shown that the plasma density
becomes uniform over large part of the gap in the course of the discharge
development, so that one can speak of a formation of a dynamic positive column.
The column completely controls the dynamics of the barrier discharge and
determines such characteristics as the discharge current, discharge duration,
light output, etc. Using the proposed model, all discharge parameters can be
easily evaluated
