SUPPRESSION OF SELF PULSING DC DRIVEN NONTHERMAL MICROPLASMA DISCHARGE TO OPERATE IN A STEADY DC MODE

• US 20170290137A1
• Filed: 04/04/2017
• Published: 10/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Original Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Inventors: Farouk, Tanvir, Mahamud, Rajib
• Granted Patent: US 10,542,613 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/0018 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/0081 by electric means
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/46 using applied electromagnetic fields, e.g. high frequency or microwave energy H05H1/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/4697 using glow discharges
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 2242/22 DC, AC or pulsed generators

Abstract

The current disclosure relates to a suppressor circuit configuration for extending the stable region of operation of a DC driven micro plasma discharge at atmospheric and higher pressures.

Claims

1. An instability suppressor circuit for self-pulsing direct current driven microplasma discharge comprising:

a power supply;

a ballast resistor;

a plasma discharge;

an inductor connected in series with the power supply, ballast resistance and plasma discharge;

wherein the suppressor circuit adds a positive impedance making plasma from the plasma discharge less sensitive to a change in voltage with respect to a change in current; and

wherein the suppressor circuit functions at atmospheric pressure and above.

2. The suppressor circuit of 1, wherein the inductor increases the combined response time of the plasma and the inductor, such that t L/R_discharge>

t R_ballastC_p.

3. The suppressor circuit of 1, wherein the plasma discharge characteristics are obtained from the solution of the below equation:

4. The suppressor circuit of 1, wherein the inductor shifts a negative differential resistance region into lower current regimes.

5. The suppressor circuit of X, wherein two electrodes having a separation distance of from 100 μ

m to 400 μ

m form the plasma discharge.

6. A system for suppressing a self-pulsing regime of a direct current driven microplasma discharge comprising:

a power supply;

a ballast resistor;

a plasma discharge;

an inductor connected in series with the ballast resistance and plasma discharge;

wherein the inductor suppresses oscillation of the plasma discharge, thereby establishing a steady plasma discharge;

wherein the system comprises a positive impedance making plasma from the plasma discharge less sensitive to a change in voltage with respect to a change in current; and

wherein the system functions at atmospheric pressure and above.

7. The system of 6, wherein varying an inductance value increases a response time of plasma to a value wherein t Lx/R_discharge>

t R_ballastC_p thereby making a driving circuit response time shorter.

8. The system of 6, wherein the system shifts a negative differential resistance region into lower current regimes.

9. The system of 6, wherein the inductor increases the combined response time of the plasma and the inductor, such that t L/R_discharge>

t R_ballastC_p.

10. The system of 6, wherein the plasma discharge characteristics are obtained from the solution of the below equation:

11. The system of 6, wherein the plasma discharge is formed between two electrodes having a separation distance of from 100 μ

m to 400 μ

m.