Trumpet-shaped diffuse plasma jet in a semi-confined environment

Abstract

This paper reports a unique trumpet-shaped diffuse plasma jet (TDPJ) with a caliber exceeding 30 mm in a semi-confined environment, which is larger than the diameter of existing atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) in an open environment. The morphology of the TDPJ is attributed to the influence of the electric field on the development characteristics of ionization waves in the ambient environment. High-speed ICCD camera images show that the plasma bullets in the TDPJ have a completely different propagation trajectory compared to the APPJ. Different shapes of diffuse plasma jets can also be formed by adjusting the doping gas, which is due to the Penning ionization and consistent with the impact of the electric field. This research reveals the long-neglected effect of the electric field on ionization waves and provides a way to manipulate the morphology of plasma jets efficiently. The generation mechanism of the TDPJ can provide preliminary guidance for the effective medical treatment of plasma jets in semi-confined environments, such as human internal organs.