Comparison of AC plasma jets between dielectric barrier discharge and surface barrier discharge

Abstract

For plasma to be applied to practical medical tools, the length of plasma column and plasma density should be well controlled in non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jets, although active radicals are the real ones to react with the human surfaces. AC plasma jets from two different discharge modes (dielectric barrier discharge and surface barrier discharge) have been compared in terms of plasma and neural parameters. With different AC frequency and different gas composition (He, Ar, He/O₂, or Ar/O₂) of the source, the characteristics of plasmas and neutrals of two different jets are comparatively investigated by taking discharge images and emission spectra in terms of the length of plasma column, plasma density, and electron temperature, and rotational temperatures. Electrostatic method has also been introduced, although atmospheric plasma tends to generate arc or short-circuit with electric probe tip, in order to deduce the spatially averaged plasma or floating potentials of two jets by a capacitive couple method with condition of collisional sheath according to various discharge conditions[1].