Generation of Active Species in a Large Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet

Low-temperature atmospheric-pressure plasma jets (APPJs) are being increasingly used in surface activation, cleaning, wound care, and sterilization applications. The development of successful applications using these systems depends on the ability to tailor the active species generated in the plasma jets to match the treatment requirements. This paper presents an investigation of the effect of sinusoidal drive frequency (20-140 kHz), on a helium discharge formed using an APPJ. The discharge was formed in a large-orifice 16-mm-diameter quartz tube with a treatment area of ≈ 2cm² at the nozzle exit. Optical, polychromic emission, and thermographic imaging data were correlated with electrical measurements. These measurements indicated that the coupling efficiency was frequency dependent. As a result of differences in coupling efficiency, variations in active species (N₂, N₂⁺, O, and NO) present in the discharge were observed. The concentration of active species was also dependent on the distance from the powered electrodes. As well as altering the concentration of active species in the discharge, changes in frequency resulted in higher discharge temperatures (25 °C at 20 kHz to 40 °C at 80 kHz). The temperature was measured on the quartz tube, and steady state was reached after 120 s. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the frequency/distance dependence on the active species in the discharge. This dependence makes it possible to control the active species present at the plasma jet orifice by tailoring the frequency and tube length.