Exploring Plasma Sources for Optimized Production of Metastable Atoms and Reactive Species
0Exploring Plasma Sources for Optimized Production of Metastable Atoms and Reactive Species
Layman Abstract : This study examines different types of plasma discharges—DC glow, hollow cathode arc (HCA), and microwave (Surfatron)—to maximize the production of highly energetic atoms like helium (He), neon (Ne), and argon (Ar) metastable atoms, as well as nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) atoms. Scientists adjusted factors such as gas pressure, tube size, gas flow rate, and discharge power to optimize the density of these reactive species.
To measure the exact densities of these atoms, they used advanced techniques like resonant absorption spectroscopy, NO titration with emission spectroscopy, and a catalytic probe. The results showed that metastable atoms of He, Ne, and Ar could reach densities of 10¹¹–10¹² cm⁻³ at pressures between 0.1 and 1 Torr, while reactive nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms could reach 10¹⁵–10¹⁶ cm⁻³ at pressures up to 10 Torr—as long as the materials in contact with the plasma did not cause excessive surface recombination.
The study also found that around 10% of oxygen molecules typically break down into oxygen atoms under reasonable discharge power, especially when mixed with noble gases. However, nitrogen atoms were harder to produce because nitrogen molecules have strong bonds that require more energy to break. Hydrogen atom density was also limited due to surface losses unless the experimental setup used quartz glass, which helps prevent hydrogen atoms from sticking to surfaces.
This research helps improve our understanding of how to efficiently generate and control reactive atoms in plasma systems, which has applications in materials processing, coatings, and environmental technologies.
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View Book: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49473-93-5/CH7
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Related keyword:
Flowing plasmas and afterglows
DC glow discharge plasma
Hollow cathode arc plasma
Microwave surfatron discharge
Metastable atoms in plasma
Plasma diagnostics spectroscopy
Noble gas metastable atom density
Plasma-generated nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms
Optical emission and absorption spectroscopy
Plasma dissociation of oxygen and nitrogen
Gas flow and pressure effects in plasma
Plasma surface interactions and recombination
High-density plasma production
Plasma-enhanced gas dissociation
Metastable species in low-pressure plasma
Plasma-based material processing
Metastable Atoms