Development and Characterization of an Atmospheric-Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch

The presented microwave plasma torch finds application in many areas of treatment and conversion of different gases as well as in surface treatment. The torch is based on an axially symmetric resonator. Microwaves of 2.45 GHz are fed into the cavity, resulting in a sufficient high electric field for ignition and maintaining stable plasma operation. The characterization of the plasma is performed by optical-emission spectroscopy, which revealed a rotational temperature of about 3600 K in the center of the plasma.