Characteristics of plasmas produced in water

Summary form only given. Plasmas with a large volume have been produced in low pressure gases using the diffusion and flow of plasmas. Here, the production and characteristics of large volume discharge plasmas in water are described. Pulsed power has been used to produce non-thermal plasmas in atmospheric pressure gases that generate a high electric field at the tips of streamer discharges and produce high energy electrons, free radicals, ultraviolet rays and ozone. These manifestations of streamer discharges have been used in the treatment of exhaust gases, removal of volatile and toxic compounds such as dioxin, and the sterilization of microorganisms. Large volume discharge plasmas like streamer discharges in atmospheric pressure gases are produced successfully in water. These plasmas in water are able to produce a high electric field, strong shock waves, high energy electrons, ozone, chemically active species and ultraviolet rays and shock waves. The electric field at the tip of development of plasmas is over 1 MV/cm, and the strength of shock waves is about 100000 atmospheres, which are obtained from the measurement of the shock wave velocity.