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When the power converter connects to the high-frequency transformer breaks through the bottleneck and reaches a frequency of 100 kHz or even higher, the high-frequency transformer's inter-turn insulation faces more serious high-frequency discharge and high-temperature problems. In order to improve the service performance of oil-immersed high-frequency transformer insulation paper, composite K-BNNS particles are prepared by ultrasonic stripping, heat treatment, and thermomagnetic stirring. Then, K-BNNS particles are mixed with PMIA (polymeric m-phenylenediamine solution) slurry to produce composite aramid paper. And the effects of K-BNNS particles with different contents on the thermal conductivity, dielectric properties, partial discharge properties, and mechanical properties of aramid paper are explored. It can be found that, when the addition of composite particles (K-BNNS) is 10%, the comprehensive performance of composite aramid paper is the best. Compared with Nomex paper, the in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivity of composite insulating paper F-10 increased by 668.33% and 760.66%, respectively. Moreover, the high-frequency breakdown voltage increased by 48.73% and the tensile strength increased by 2.49%. The main reason is that the composite particles form a complete thermal conductive network in the aramid paper matrix and a large number of hydrogen bonds with the matrix, which enhances the internal interface bonding force of the material and changes the charge transport mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A feedback control platform is built to reduce thrust noise in various operations. • Variations of AG current with feedback control are related with interception rate. • CEX process affects AG current with feedback control through the types of ions. High thrust noise limits the application of microwave discharge ion thruster (MDIT) on space gravitational waves (GWs) detection, which needs to be suppressed by a feedback control system. A feedback control experimental platform is established for MDIT choosing microwave power and ion beam current respectively as controlled variable and feedback parameter. Experiments show the feedback control system adjusts screen grid (SG) current by regulating microwave power to compensate for fluctuations of acceleration grid (AG) current, which is mainly because the ability of microwave power to adjust SG current is dramatically stronger than that to adjust AG current. Faced with fluctuations of decreasing flow rate, the feedback control system boosts microwave power to stabilize ion beam current. However, the AG current shows diametrically opposed characteristics for operations with different interception rates under regulation of a feedback control system. Further study shows this phenomenon is the macroscopic reflection of ion trajectories variations on AG current under the function of specific electric field when feedback control system changes the proportions of primary ions and charge exchange (CEX) ions by influencing CEX reaction intensity in the grid system and its downstream region. Analysis of mean free path shows the CEX reaction intensity in the grid system is stronger than that downstream from AG. Therefore, the physical process in the grid system dominates variations of AG current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, two completely different types of lasers—a fiber laser and a gas-discharge laser—were combined into a single device by demonstrating 2.03 µm laser generation in He-Xe plasma that was produced by a microwave discharge directly inside a hollow-core fiber. This new type of laser—a gas-discharge fiber laser—provides excellent opportunities to greatly enrich the wavelength range of the operation of fiber lasers. In this work, we investigate a He-Kr gas mixture as an active medium of this new type of laser. As a result, a He-Kr gas-discharge fiber laser is demonstrated for the first time. The laser was pumped by a microwave discharge in a He:Kr (40:1) mixture that was filled into a revolver fiber with the hollow-core diameter of 130 µm. The total gas pressure was about 100 torr. With broadband mirrors of the laser resonator, generation was observed simultaneously at wavelengths of 2190 and 2523 nm. The output power of the He-Kr gas-discharge fiber laser was about 1 mW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chondrules are tiny particles that occur in stony meteorites and are considered as the building blocks of early asteroids and planets. It is believed that they were formed by the fast heating of the dust in the solar nebula. To date, there is no lab-scale experimental study of the formation of chondrules from the initial gas phase precursors following fast heating and crystallisation. The motivation of this work is a pre-trial study of the formation of chnodrule-like particles. The formation of meteorites in the space environment is associated with the aggregation of small particles or molecular clouds under the influence of shock waves or high-energy gas discharges in the solar nebula. In this work, the properties of product formation at the nanoscale-level were investigated using different feedstock materials which are the dominant elements in the meteorite. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesised Si-Fe nanomaterials were analysed by scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and chemical composition was analysed by X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The identification of crystalline phases was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), whereas the presence of an Fe-Si system in the synthesised particles was demonstrated by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The obtained materials were exposed to the relatively high-energy pulsed plasma beam on the substrate with the aim to emulate the possible fast heating and melting of the formed nanoparticles. The formation steps of growing synthetic (engineered) chondro-like particles and nanostructures in laboratory conditions is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of external gas injection near the plume on the performance of a microwave discharge cathode is investigated. Experiments were conducted under two gas injection conditions: gas addition and gas distribution. Gas distribution tended to lead to better performance than gas addition. In the gas distribution experiments, the total gas consumption was kept constant, the internal gas flow rate was reduced, and external gas was supplied. The electron current increased from 0.26 to 0.49 A at 35 V when the microwave power was 15 W. When the sum of the internal and external gas flow rates was held constant, external gas injection lowered the neutralization costs and increased the gas utilization efficiency. The neutralization current was successfully increased by 48 % at 12 W of microwave power compared with 8 W of microwave power with the same level of naturalization cost and gas utilization efficiency. The electron temperature and plasma density in the plume, as measured using a Langmuir probe, suggested that an increase of ionization in the plume by the external gas injection enhanced the cathode's performance. • Supplying gas into the plume of a microwave discharge cathode improves its performance. • Neutralization current increased by 58 % with external gas injection. • External gas injection decrease naturalization cost and increase gas utilization efficiency. • An increase of ionization in the plume by the external gas injection enhanced the cathode's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave machining is considered a potential technique to process some nonmetals and a few metals. The technique is found promising at low microwave power. This work analyzes effects of drilling time while drilling stainless steel sheets at low average microwave power. Microwave drilling trials were conducted inside domestic microwave oven at an average microwave power level of 70 W. Interaction of a pointed thoriated tungsten tool (diameter: 1 mm, minimum tip diameter ≈ 0.1 mm) with microwaves triggered metal-microwave discharge plasma column to ablate stainless steel sheet. Tool wear was observed to increase with drilling time, which influenced the plasma column and the resulting quality of drilled holes. Overcut increased with drilling time due to progressive expansion of the plasma column. Similarly, heat-affected zone widened with increase in drilling time. Circularity degraded due to declining uniformity of plasma column with longer drilling. Imaging of plasma column was discussed. Moreover, measures for improving performance parameters are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental study has been made of the ignition of a subcritical microwave discharge at pressures in the range 55–79 Torr with the initiation by pulsed laser radiation (58 mJ in a pulse). A rise of 36% in the critical pressure was obtained to form the discharge with the orientation of the laser beam along the vector of the microwave-field strength. Computer modeling has shown that upon the traversal of a focused laser beam, a highly conductive laser trail can be formed with a peak ionization degree as high as 10%, which, for a period of the order of 1 μs, locally enhances the electric microwave field up to supercritical values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon deposits consisting of vertically oriented multilayer graphene sheets on metallic foils represent an interesting alternative to activated carbon in electrical and electrochemical devices such as super-capacitors because of the superior electrical conductivity of graphene and huge surface–mass ratio. The graphene sheets were deposited on cobalt foils by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using propane as the carbon precursor. Plasma was sustained by an inductively coupled radiofrequency discharge in the H mode at a power of 500 W and a propane pressure of 17 Pa. The precursor effectively dissociated in plasma conditions and enabled the growth of porous films consisting of multilayer graphene sheets. The deposition rate varied with time and peaked at 100 nm/s. The evolution of surface wettability was determined by the sessile drop method. The untreated substrates were moderately hydrophobic at a water contact angle of about 110°. The contact angle dropped to about 50° after plasma treatment for less than a second and increased monotonously thereafter. The maximal contact angle of 130° appeared at a treatment time of about 30 s. Thereafter, it slowly decreased, with a prolonged deposition time. The evolution of the wettability was explained by surface composition and morphology. A brief treatment with oxygen plasma enabled a super-hydrophilic surface finish of the films consisting of multilayer graphene sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of the degradation mechanism of a microwave discharge cathode is the key to extending the lifetime of microwave ion thruster systems. This study investigates the effect of nozzle contamination by sputtered Ag-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on microwave discharge cathode performance. The current–voltage characteristics were measured for nominal and contaminated (by PTFE spray with 0.2 µm thick or tape with 0.15 mm thick) cathodes. The contamination thickness and area on the nozzle were varied to investigate the characteristic differences. It was confirmed that the anode voltage increased by 20 V or more in the case of the contaminated cathode. The anode voltage was measured for the sputter-contaminated cathode to evaluate the effect of contamination under more realistic conditions. After 630 h of sputter-contamination operation, it is estimated that sputtered particles were deposited to a thickness of 77 µm at most, and the anode voltage increased by 8 V. The results show that the downstream surface of the nozzle is critical for maintaining cathode performance. The insulating coating formed by the sputtered PTFE may interfere with ion absorption and degrade electron emission capability. A theoretical model based on the extended Brophy model supports these results. This study provides important information for the use of PTFE-based materials around ion thrusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the preliminary results of experimental studies on hydrogen production through methane pyrolysis. Based on the analytical review, the technology of methane pyrolysis in the plasma of a microwave discharge was chosen. To implement this method, an installation for applied research PM-6 was developed, and experimental data on the possibility of producing hydrogen was obtained. The methods of mass spectrometry and optical emission spectrometry were used to analyze the products of the methane decomposition reaction. It has been established that at a microwave forward power of 0.6 kW, plasma pyrolysis of methane occurs with the formation of hydrogen, carbon, and hydrocarbons. Preliminary calculations of methane conversion, as a result of the conducted studies, showed a hydrogen selectivity of 4–5%. The developed installation and the applied method are under modernization at the present time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma has several applications in different fields. One of these fundamental applications is medical usages, where various methods are employed to improve the plasma treatment process. The combination of different gases is one of the important strategies to improve the performance of plasma in treatment. In this paper, the optimized plasma parameters for one-dimensional radiofrequency discharge produced at low pressures in a helium gas combination is studied. In this research, the optimal combination of H2O and He is identified to attain the highest amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Considered mixture are 5, 10, 15 and 20 precent of H2O for one dimensional helium gas discharge. The results show that the parameters of the output plasma are highly dependent on the composition of the input gases. It is found that the greatest concentrations of H+, H+, Hes (excited helium), and OH densities are observed when the H2O percentage was at 10%. Moreover, the density distributions of various species and the temperatures of electrons are numerically calculated during the electrical discharge process. These findings provide useful knowledge on how to optimize plasma parameters for biomedical applications, which may lead to improved treatment results in several therapeutic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-density hydrogen plasma with a plasma density higher than 1010 cm−3 is produced by a radio-frequency magnetized capacitively coupled discharge using a hollow cathode, i.e., a cylindrical hole inside the powered electrode surrounded by eight cylindrical neodymium magnets. The magnetic field is calculated to discuss the electron magnetization, i.e., the Hall parameter and Larmor radius of electrons. It is found that for 3 Pa of hydrogen gas pressure the maximum of plasma density estimated from the ion saturation current measured by a Langmuir probe at the center of the hollow trench, which is surrounded by the magnets, is approximately 1.7 times higher than that without the magnets. The addition of magnets results in an expansion of the high-density plasma region inside the trench. The uniformity of the radial profile of the plasma density is better in the presence of the magnets than that without the magnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial density structures of different particles (high-energy electron excited ionic and low-energy electron excited neutral particles) in both discharge and plume plasmas of a helicon source were characterized by an optical emission spectroscope (OES) and a Langmuir probe. Filters of 480 nm band pass and 600 nm high pass were used to distinguish the ionic and the excited neutral particles, respectively. The ion energy distributions at the outlet of the discharge tube with different magnetic field were obtained by a four-grid retarding field energy analyzer (RFEA). Results show that as RF input power increased, the helicon discharge modes change from a capacitive (E mode) to an inductive (H mode) to a wave coupling or a helicon discharge (W mode). After reaching the W mode, neutral particles are basically saturated, but ions will experience another growth as the power increases. Moreover, the reversed applied magnetic field can change the axial distribution of ion density (ionization region). The IEDF test results show that the maximum (most probable) ion energy increases with increasing input power. Meanwhile, the reversed magnetic field (+ 50 A) can increase the maximum ion energy by about 15 eV, which is believed to be the ionization/acceleration zone is close to the ion energy test point. Therefore, the directed ion energy is more correlated with the ion density distribution excited by high-energy electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fully kinetic 2D axisymmetric Particle-in-Cell (PIC) model is used to examine the effects of background facility pressure on the plasma transport and propulsive efficiency of magnetic nozzles. Simulations are performed for a low-power (150 W class) cathode-less radio-frequency (RF) plasma thruster, operating with xenon, between background pressures up to 1 0 − 2 Pa and average electron discharge temperatures of 4–16 eV. When the electron temperature within the near-plume region reaches 8 eV, a decisive reduction in performance occurs: at 1 0 − 2 Pa, in-plume power losses surpass 25% of the discharge energy flux. Given that the ionisation energy for Xe is 12 eV, the 8 eV threshold indicates that a consistent percentage of electrons has energy enough to trigger ionisation. On the other hand, when the temperature is below such threshold, the primary collisions are charge-exchange and inelastic ion scattering, and the power loss remains less than 10%. It is established that losses in the considered thruster are significant if the facility pressure is greater than 1 0 − 3 Pa, at absorbed powers larger than 130 W. At the nominal 150 W, this results in a 15% thrust reduction. When facility pressure is taken into consideration over ideal vacuum simulations, numerical error is reduced to < 30% when compared to experimental thrust measurements at 1 0 − 3 Pa. • Investigation of facility effects on cathode-less RF thruster performance. • Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulation of magnetic nozzle expansion into background gas. • Up to 15% thrust reduction at 150 W beyond 1 0 − 3 Pa. • Electron inelastic collisions can cause up to 70% of total in-plume power losses. • Experimental results/setup should therefore take into account facility pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with traditional electric propulsion, RF plasma thruster have attracted much attention due to their characteristics of no electrodes, long life, and high ionization rate. In recent years, the development of micro-nano satellites has put forward requirements for the miniaturization, modularization, and integration of satellite thrusters, and the miniaturization of RF plasma thrusters has a broad prospect. In this paper, a mini-RF plasma thruster with a discharge chamber inner diameter of 10 mm is designed, and a magnetic field is generated around it by two annular samarium cobalt permanent magnets. The discharge state and plasma parameters of the mini-RF thruster are tested using optical emission spectrometry (OES) and target thrust stand. In the experiment, we changed the flow rate of argon gas, the presence or absence of a magnetic field, the power of the RF source and analyzed the effects of these factors on the mode transition, plasma density, electron temperature, and thrust. According to the experimental results, it is found that the magnetic field (maximum strength 0.14T) helps to increase the plasma density at low power but delay the jump power threshold of the CCP-ICP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ignition of combustible air/propane mixture in a high-speed flow with a microwave streamer discharge is considered. The experimental results of structure of streamer discharge and quantities at various pressures are presented. Pressure and temperature measurements in various sections of the streamer discharge in high-speed flow are analysed. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of ignition of air/propane combustible mixture. The main physical mechanisms responsible for heating the discharge plasma to the ignition temperature of the combustible mixture and their characteristic time scales are discussed. The minimum time and minimum level of microwave radiation required to ignite a combustible mixture under various conditions are determined. • Streamer discharge structure at various pressures in high-speed flow is presented. • Streamer discharge provides reliable ignition in a high-speed flow. • Minimum time and pulse energy required to ignite a mixture are determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for the synthesis and deposition of tungsten oxide nanopowders directly on the surface of a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite (CFRP) is presented. The CFRP was chosen because this material has very good thermal and mechanical properties and chemical resistance. Also, CFRPs have low melting points and are transparent under ionized radiation. The synthesis is based on the direct interaction between high-power-density microwaves and metallic wires to generate a high-temperature plasma in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, which afterward condenses as metallic oxide nanoparticles on the CFRP. During microwave discharge, the value of the electronic temperature of the plasma, estimated from Boltzmann plots, reached up to 4 eV, and tungsten oxide crystals with a size between 5 nm and 100 nm were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the tungsten oxide nanoparticles showed they were single crystals without any extended defects. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the surface of the CFRP sample does not degrade during microwave plasma deposition. The X-ray attenuation of CFRP samples covered with tungsten oxide nanopowder layers of 2 µm and 21 µm thickness was measured. The X-ray attenuation analysis indicated that the thin film with 2 µm thickness attenuated 10% of the photon flux with 20 to 29 KeV of energy, while the sample with 21 µm thickness attenuated 60% of the photon flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical simulation of the conditions for the direct initiation of detonation in the region of a combustible mixture, in which its critical energy is minimum, has been performed using a streamer microwave discharge for the source of detonation initiation. The calculations were conducted on the basis of the model of the two-dimensional detonation in a combustible mixture, flowing in a cylindrical channel, with the use of the system of gas-dynamics and chemical-kinetics equations. The process of detonation initiation was considered as applied to a stoichiometric hydrogen–air mixture flowing in a cylindrical channel at different initial pressures. The requirements for the source of initiation of detonation in a combustible mixture were investigated with respect to the attainment of its critical parameters in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a method to optimize the power frequency of dual-frequency plasma, we propose an optimization method that combines genetic algorithm and plasma simulation. A two-dimensional plasma simulation model of Ar plasma was constructed with a fluid model. Combining this simulation model with a genetic algorithm, 300 cases of plasma conditions with high plasma density and small variation in electron density were calculated. As a result, the optimum conditions were 175 to 210 MHz for the high-frequency generator and 1.0 to 2.5 MHz for the low-frequency generator. Furthermore, two types of single objective functions that combine the electron density and the variation rate were proposed. The single objective functions with emphasis on electron density and with emphasis on variation rate were introduced, and each objective function was optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of Enterococcus bacterium is widely observed in the living environment and water. The decontamination of drinking water from the bacterial pollution is an important issue in water treatment. Here, the inactivation of Enterococcus bacteria is studied by placing the dielectric barrier discharge structure, with the RF discharge frequency of 13.56 MHz atmospheric pressure argon plasma jet, directly in water, whereas the water around the plasma plume was seething and the bubbles produced stirring all liquid volume. The ability to place a plasma jet nozzle directly in water for 10 min while maintaining a steady and uniform plasma plume, besides water temperature, provides the effectiveness enhancement in the inactivation of bacteria. The absorption of UV radiation in water is effective, and the role of UV radiation of plasma plume was mainly responsible for the destruction of peptidoglycan, which is the outer layer of Enterococcus. Then, the presence of electrons and plasma plume in water leads to the formation of hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, and other reactive radicals that are involved in chemical reactions, which lead to the inactivation of micro-organisms. The number of bacteria decreases from the initial value of 16 × 105 MPN/100 ml to less than 1.2 MPN/100 ml. The spectra of the plasma radiation, with the plume length 2 cm within the water, have been analyzed via the first nitrogen negative system N+2 (B − X). The plume temperature was calculated to be about 64 °C, which has a good agreement with water temperature measured by using a thermometer at about 67°C after 15 min at maximum 200 W input power of the plasma jet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper described further development of a gas-jet method of synthesizing diamond coatings with the use of a high-velocity jet for transporting the gas mixture (hydrogen, methane, and argon) activated in a microwave discharge to a silicon substrate. A substrate holder is developed, which ensures substrate integrity under thermal loading under conditions of chemical vapor deposition. The diamond synthesis rate in the present experiments is higher than that obtained previously in microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition experiments without addition of argon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Draix-Bléone critical zone observatory was created in 1983 to study erosion processes in a mountainous badland region of the French Southern Alps. Six catchments of varying size (0.001 to 22 km 2) and vegetation cover are equipped to measure water and sediment fluxes, both as bedload and suspended load. This paper presents the core dataset of the observatory, including rainfall and meteorology, high-frequency discharge and suspended-sediment concentration, and event-scale bedload volumes. The longest records span almost 40 years. Measurement and data-processing methods are presented, as well as data quality assessment procedures and examples of results. All the data presented in this paper are available on the open repository 10.17180/obs.draix (Draix-Bleone Observatory, 2015), and a 5-year snapshot is available for review at 10.57745/BEYQFQ (Klotz et al., 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work for the first time, it is investigated the structure and chemical composition of the modified with oxygen groups, chlorine, and bromine carbon nanospheres (CNS) synthesized by the high-voltage high-frequency electrical discharge treatment of the propane–butane gas mixture. The composition and structure of CNS were studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy (RS). An increase in the intensities of X-ray reflexes (002) and wide-angle background in functionalized CNS-X (X = O, Cl, Br) was established. This is due to the electron density transfer from the X atoms to the CNS. The existence of regions of higher and lower ordering in the CNS is shown. A decrease in graphite interplanar distances with an increase in the number of electrons in functionalizing atoms was established. For the first time, the presence of a diamond-like structure (DLS) in electric-discharge CNS and its change during functionalization was confirmed by studying the structure of vibrational bands and observing spectral components in the regions of 1150–1260–1305 cm−1. A universal concept of the disordering of graphite and diamond-like structures by multiplying the unit cell sizes is proposed, which serves as a reliable basis for interpreting the structure of the observed vibrational bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capacitive equipment refers to its insulation design using the principle of capacitance of electrical equipment, mainly by a variety of different capacitive components in series. Most of the equipment in the substation is capacitive equipment. Once an insulation failure occurs, it will lead to extremely serious consequences. Monitoring grid overvoltage and insulation degradation of capacitive equipment is an effective means to ensure the stable operation of the power system. Therefore, in order to enhance the health management of capacitive equipment, including transformers, bushings, and current transformers, and to mitigate the risk of severe failures, it is imperative to conduct broad-spectrum frequency-domain online monitoring of overvoltages, dielectric losses, and partial discharge. However, the current monitoring work requires the utilization of multiple detection apparatuses. Aiming at the disadvantage that the existing inspection is not well integrated and requires a combination of multiple devices. This paper proposes a smart grid overvoltage identification system that utilizes partial discharge (PD) signals in correlation with dielectric loss detection. The system achieves synchronous detection of dielectric loss and high-frequency partial discharge by synchronously and in real-time acquiring four current signals from the power grid, enhancing the integration level of the hardware system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate similarity-based scaling networks for capacitive radio frequency (RF) plasmas, which extensively correlate discharge characteristics under varied conditions, incorporating the transition from original to similarity states. Based on fully kinetic particle-in-cell simulations, similar RF discharges in argon are demonstrated with three external control parameters (gas pressure, gap distance, and driving frequency) simultaneously tuned. A complete set of scaling pathways regarding fundamental discharge parameters is obtained, from which each plasma state finds its neighboring node with only one control parameter tuned. The results from this study provide a promising strategy for plasma multi-parameter mapping, enabling effective cross-comparisons, prediction, and manipulation of RF discharge plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of experimental studies are applied to compare the spatiotemporal amplitude distributions of controlled fluctuations in a linear and a weakly nonlinear phase of the development of a wave train in a homogeneous and an inhomogeneous boundary layer on a flat plate at a Mach number M = 2. (The flow is inhomogeneous due to a longitudinal steady perturbation generated by a pair of weak shock waves. Controlled perturbations are generated locally from the surface at a fixed power of a high-frequency glow discharge inside the model.) It is revealed that the inhomogeneity of the flow changes the mechanism of interaction of subharmonic perturbations. It is shown that the spatial synchronism of fluctuations of subharmonic frequency is violated in the center of the wave train. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to investigate the chemical and physical properties of water activated by a microwaveinduced plasma jet in the system. In this work, the activation of water was studied by plasma microwave using argon gas. To study the physical and chemical properties of water, 10 cm3 of distilled water was placed in a container made of glass in the form of a dish with a diameter of 5 cm and a depth of 1 cm. The system operates by microwave, with a sustain voltage to the magnetron of 150 V and exposure times ranging from 1 to 10 min. Underflows of 0.7, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.1 l/min of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species types were measured using kits purchased from an American manufacturer, Bartovation, for this purpose. The results showed the concentrations of NO2, NO3, and H2O2, increasing with time as well as with the flow rate. With the exposure time, the pH decreases until it reaches 4, and the temperature increases until it reaches 37.2°C; however, the pH increases with the storage time, and the water reaches its natural state with a pH of 7 after 24 h of storage. The concentration of NO2 and NO3 increases slightly, and after 6 h, it begins to decrease exponentially, reaching a value close to zero after the passage of 24 h. From that, it can be concluded that the microwave-induced plasma jet system can produce reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, which can be used for biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical and chemical characteristics of the microwave discharge in petroleum solvent during hydrogen production processes involving Ar, He, and CO2 barbotage were studied. Gas chromatography, emission spectroscopy, high-speed photography, and shadow photography were used for diagnosis. The results demonstrated the dependence of hydrogen yield on the flow rates of Ar, He, and CO2. The maximum yield values of hydrogen were 791 mL/min and 811 mL/min, while the maximum energy efficiency reached 135.6 NL/kWh and 162.2 NL/kWh in Nefras with Ar and He barbotage, respectively. The dynamics of discharge structure and the rotational and vibrational temperatures of C2 molecules were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present an Opto-Electro-Mechanical Modulator (OEMM) for RF-to-optical transduction realized via an ultra-coherent nanomembrane resonator capacitively coupled to an rf injection circuit made of a microfabricated read-out able to improve the electro-optomechanical interaction. This device configuration can be embedded in a Fabry–Perot cavity for electromagnetic cooling of the LC circuit in a dilution refrigerator exploiting the opto-electro-mechanical interaction. To this aim, an optically measured steady-state frequency shift of 380 Hz was seen with a polarization voltage of 30 V and a Q-factor of the assembled device above 10 6 at room temperature. The rf-sputtered titanium nitride layer can be made superconductive to develop efficient quantum transducers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chondrules are fundamental components of chondritic meteorites and play a vital role in understanding the formation of the early solar system. This study focuses on the synthesis of chondrule-like particles in a plasma environment using a radiofrequency (RF) discharge. The experimental setup involves a vacuum chamber where argon gas, hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), and ferrocene vapors are introduced. The plasma burning duration is optimized to facilitate chondrule formation, followed by analysis of the synthesized particles using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis. The results demonstrate the successful synthesis of chondrule-like particles with diverse sizes and morphologies. SEM imaging reveals particles ranging from 80 to 378 nm in diameter, exhibiting rounded and non-uniform shapes. Energy dispersive analysis confirms the presence of iron, carbon, oxygen, and silicon in the synthesized particles. Iron and carbon originate from the ferrocene and HMDSO precursors, respectively, while oxygen may indicate oxidation or the presence of oxide groups. Silicon, the main component, contributes to the key characteristics of the chondrule-like structures. These findings contribute to the understanding of chondrule formation mechanisms and pave the way for further investigations using combined discharges to simulate shock waves or nebular lightning. Additionally, the study suggests the possibility of introducing additional chondrule building blocks, such as magnesium and phosphorus, to explore their effects on particle synthesis and composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study of the plasma gas phase in low pressure radiofrequency discharges of oxygen is presented. The plasma phase has been studied by means of mass spectroscopy of the neutral and of the charged species, directly sampling the plasma gas phase. We also measured the ion energy distributions. We have studied the influence of the operating conditions on the plasma gas-phase composition. Ion density and energy have been measured as a function of discharge parameters. In particular, we have identified operating conditions in low pressure discharges allowing the extraction of ions from the plasma state with energies exceeding 50 eV. This makes plasma processing with energetic oxygen ions feasible in our device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-based ternary-chalcogenide thin films of the (PbTe)1−x(PbS)x system were obtained using the plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor-deposition (PECVD) technique under conditions of a nonequilibrium low-temperature argon plasma of an RF discharge (40.68 MHz) at a reduced pressure (0.01 Torr). High-purity elements were directly used as starting materials, namely Pb, S and Te. Plasma–chemical synthesis was carried out on the surface of c-sapphire and silicon substrate. The physicochemical properties of the films were studied using various analytical methods. The dependence of the Seebeck coefficient, resistivity and power factor on the structural properties and composition has been studied. The thermoelectric characteristics were found to be dependent on film composition. Upon the selection of optimal sulfur concentration, one can increase the power factor compared to single-phase PbS or PbTe films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the effectiveness of partial discharge detection in attached metal particle insulators, this paper proposes a partial discharge detection method for particle defects in insulators under high-frequency sinusoidal voltage excitation. In order to study the development process of partial discharge under high-frequency electrical stress, a two-dimensional plasma simulation model of partial discharge with particle defects at the epoxy interface is established under plate–plate electrode structure, which realizes the dynamic simulation of particulate defect partial discharge. By studying the microscopic mechanism of partial discharge, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of microscopic parameters such as electron density, electron temperature, and surface charge density are obtained. Based on this simulation model, this paper further studies the partial discharge characteristics of epoxy interface particle defects at different frequencies, and verifies the accuracy of the model from two aspects of discharge intensity and surface damages through experimental means. The results show that with the increase in the frequency of applied voltage, the amplitude of electron temperature shows an increasing trend. However, the surface charge density gradually decreases with the increase in frequency. These two factors make partial discharge severest when the frequency of the applied voltage is 15 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We present the results of an experimental and analytical study of the structural and dynamic properties of a monolayer consisting of dust grains in an electrostatic trap in an RF discharge plasma. The possibility of forming a monolayer with an isotropic distribution for interparticle distance and kinetic energy of particles in the structure has been experimentally shown. Isotropy has crucial importance for the study of various processes in such systems, including the kinetics of phase transitions, the formation of directed flows, wave propagation, and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of ignition of flammable mixtures by a microwave discharge is of interest for the design of propulsion systems with increased reliability and possibility of the use of lean fuel/air mixtures. A mathematical model for estimating plasma heating and conversion caused by a microwave subcritical streamer discharge is developed. Pressure of the medium is 13.3 kPa, temperature is 300 K. Plasma is created by microwave discharge with flat mirror and initiator (thin antenna). The initiator is hollow, fuel mixture (propane/air) is pumped through it to the exterior medium. Power of microwave radiation is 1.5 kW. Air flows around the initiator with velocity varying from 11 to 500 m/s. The plasma region and its conductivity are set based on experimental statistics, this is a key feature that reduces the consumption of computing resources. The mathematical model consists of three main stages. At the first stage, the Boltzmann equation for the electron gas in unperturbed medium is solved. At the second stage, the Helmholtz equations and plasma domain are considered for microwave system under study. At the third stage, the Navier–Stokes and transport equations with external heat power and additional plasma reactions for a compressible medium are solved. The results of numerical calculations are compared with the data of a physical experiment. The proposed model gives approximate estimations of discharge parameters and flow quantities, while the requirements for computational resources and time are significantly reduced in comparison to traditional models. • Numerical model of microwave discharge ignition is developed. • The model is validated against experimental data. • Streamer discharge provides reliable ignition in supersonic flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its advantages of spatial uniformity and ion energy control, a dual-frequency (DF) capacitive-coupled plasma is widely used in semiconductor etching and deposition processes. In low-pressure discharges, the mean free path of ions is longer than the sheath width, and the ion energy distribution function is sensitive to the driving voltage waveform. In this respect, it is necessary to use a particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation to observe ion movement according to the time-varying electric field in the sheath. This study uses a two-dimensional PIC simulation parallelized with a graphics processing unit to monitor the ion energy distribution and flux according to the DF voltage waveform. We suggested a method to control the ion energy through a phase-resolved ion energy distribution in the region, where the ion transit time is longer than the high-frequency period and shorter than the low-frequency period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a contribution to the development of microwave plasma-based technology aimed at efficient hydrogen (H2) production from a so-called synthetic biogas, considered a mixture of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), which can contain up to 70% CH4. In this work, we tested the performance of a waveguide-supplied metal cylinder-based microwave plasma source (MPS) operating at 915 MHz at atmospheric pressure as a tool for the efficient production of H2 in the steam reforming of the synthetic biogas. The test showed that the steam reforming of the synthetic biogas could be carried out under a wide range of working parameters without soot formation and extinction of the microwave discharge. We found that there is a minimal H2Osteam consumption rate for a given CH4 input volume content, which ensures stable operation of the MPS (no soot). The experiments did not show that increasing the amount of H2Osteam rate above the minimal value for a given CH4 input volume content results in an increase in the H2 production rate, energy yield, CH4 conversion degree, and H2 output concentration. To describe the MPS performance, which also takes into account a factor of the utilization of the CH4 feedstock, we introduced a new parameter, called an energy–CH4 feedstock consumption yield. The best results in terms of the H2 production rate, the energy yield, and the CH4 conversion degree were 239 g[H2]/h 36.8 g[H2]/kWh, and 74.3%, respectively. This shows that the application of the steam reforming, instead of the dry reforming, resulted in a 1.5-fold increase of the H2 production rate and the corresponding energy yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oil-paper insulation of high-frequency (HF) transformers frequently withstands high-frequency over-voltages at frequencies of several kHz and above. This leads to the occurrence of partial discharge (PD), which causes premature insulation failure in HF transformers. In order to investigate the effect of PD under high-frequency stresses on oil-impregnated Nomex paper, this paper analyzes the surface morphology, bond-broken types of the molecular chain, and product types formed for oil paper after PD degradation. Then, the damage mechanism of oil-immersed Nomex paper between high-frequency and AC stress is explored. The experimental results show that the branches of creepage do not exist in the oil-paper insulation during the entire discharge process under high-frequency stresses, and that their damage degree is higher than that of AC stress. This is mainly because the benzene ring of oil-impregnated Nomex paper is destroyed and opened caused by high-energy particles, the heating effect in HF discharge, and the bulk effect. These results help to improve the design theory of insulation structures and to develop PD-resistant insulation materials in HF transformers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pulsed radio-frequency discharge was for the first time implemented for mirror cleaning in ITER. • Dynamics of ion flux and self-bias are studied for duty factors in the range of 10 – 100 %. • Based on the plasma parameters measurements the sputtering rates of contaminants are calculated. • It is shown that power pulsing can provide an increase in the sputtering rate. • The sputtering rate calculations were confirmed by the mirror cleaning experiments. In ITER, the first mirrors of optical diagnostics will be prone to deposition of the first wall materials which will result in the degradation of the mirror's optical parameters and the parameters of the diagnostic itself. To restore the mirror's reflectivity a cleaning system based on the gas discharge will be employed. The present paper discussed low-frequency power modulation of capacitively-coupled RF discharge utilized to decrease the mean RF power supplied through the in-vessel feeding line. The impact of power modulation on the incident ion flux, distribution of ion energy, and sputtering rates of the first wall materials were studied for the cases of DC-coupled and -decoupled mirrors with/without external magnetic field. The parameters of the plasma were measured depending on modulation frequency (1 Hz – 10 kHz) and duty cycle (10 – 90 %) for He plasma at a pressure of a few Pa. Based on the measurements of ion flux and ion energy the sputtered rates of Be and BeO were estimated. The estimations of the sputtering rate were followed by experiments on BeO sputtering in He plasma. Finally, the recommendations are given for selecting an appropriate RF power required to clean the mirror from Be/BeO deposits in ITER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinetics of the reactions of N 3 + and N 4 + with N(4S) and O(3P) are measured at room temperature using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube apparatus. Oxygen atoms are produced by titrating NO against nitrogen atoms formed from a microwave discharge of N 2. The reaction rate constants are generally well-described by assuming strict spin-conservation along with Langevin capture kinetics. N 3 + + N occurs with k = 1.8 × 10−10 cm3 s−1, spin state counting indicates both doublet and quartet states of N 2 + are formed. N 4 + + N occurs with k = 2.2 × 10−10 cm3 s−1, yielding exclusively N 3 +. The N 3 + + O reaction occurs with k = 2.5 × 10−10 cm3 s−1, yielding significant amounts of NO+ and N 2 + products. N 4 + + O, the only of these reactions without any spin-constraint, is the only reaction to occur near the Langevin capture rate with k = 5.6 × 10−10 cm3 s−1. The major product of the N 4 + + O reaction is charge transfer to yield O+ (k = 4.1 × 10−10 cm3 s−1) with N 2 O+ (k = 7.7 × 10−11 cm3s−1) and probably NO + formed as minor products. The reaction of N 4 + + NO minimally occurs with k < 6.5 × 10−12 cm3 s−1. A novel method of assessing uncertainties in rate constants derived from complicated chemical reaction networks is presented, yielding probability density curves as a function of each partial rate constant. The analysis obviates the need of assuming experimental errors of the rate constants are normally distributed. [Display omitted] • N₃⁺ + N occurs with k = 1.8 × 10−10 cm³ s⁻1 and produces doublet and quartet states of N₂⁺. • N₄⁺ + N occurs with k = 2.2 × 10−10 cm³ s⁻1 and exclusively yields N₃⁺. • N₃⁺ + O occurs with k = 2.5 × 10−10 cm³ s⁻1 and yields significant amounts of NO⁺ and N₂⁺ as a minor product. • N₄⁺ + O occurs with k = 5.6 × 10−10 cm³ s⁻1 and predominantly forms O⁺, with N₂O⁺ and possibly NO⁺ as minor products. • The observed reaction rates and product distributions are well-explained by strict spin-conservation and Langevin capture kinetics, with spin-conserved pathways correlating to exothermic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsed gas injection in a plasma can affect many fundamentals, including electron heating and losses. The case of an asymmetric RF magnetron plasma with a pulsed argon injection is analyzed by optical emission spectroscopy of argon 2p-to-1s transitions coupled with collisional-radiative modeling. For a fully detailed population model of argon 2p levels accounting for direct and stepwise electron-impact excitation in optically thick conditions, a rapid decrease in the electron temperature, Te, is observed during each gas injection with the sudden pressure rise. The opposite trend, with unrealistic Te values before and after each pulse, is observed for analysis based on simple corona models, thus emphasizing the importance of stepwise excitation processes and radiation trapping. Time-resolved electron temperature variations are directly linked to the operating parameters of the pulsed gas injection, in particular the injection frequency. Based on the complete set of data, it is shown that the instantaneous electron temperature monotonously decreases with increasing pressure, with values consistent with those expected for plasmas in which charged species are produced by electron-impact ionization of ground state argon atoms and lost by diffusion and recombination on plasma reactor walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex simulation approach is applied to determine optimal conditions for the functionalization of low-k materials in e-beam rf discharge generated by 1 keV electron beam in He. The possibility and mechanisms of methyl group elimination from low-k surfaces with low-energy He ions and fast He atoms are studied with ab initio dynamic density functional theory-based simulations. The effect of gas pressure, rf voltage, and rf frequencies on the ion energy and angle distribution functions is analyzed using a 1D Particle-in-Cell Monte Carlo model. The relative contribution of fast atoms in the surface functionalization is estimated. Ion fluxes on the 2D trench walls and bottom are calculated with the developed analytical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The space gravitational wave detection mission has put forward multiple performance requirements for micro-newton thrusters, such as "fast response, high resolution, and low noise". In order to solve the problem that the traditional open-loop propulsion system can hardly meet the high-precision performance, the microwave ion thruster with high accuracy and controllability of thrust estimation is adopted as the research object, and the precision feedback control method combining analog circuit and digital control technology is adopted to achieve a resolution of less than 0.1 μN, fast response of 20 ms, and 10−3~1 Hz frequency band noise less than 0.05 μN/Hz1/2 of the thrust performance. Experimental results show that, compared with open-loop regulation, the feedback control can effectively suppress various noises and disturbances caused by device temperature drift and complex operating characteristics of the thruster, and the anti-aliasing filter scheme adopted in this paper can suppress the folding of high-frequency data in the low- and medium-frequency bands during the digital control process, while it can effectively improve the system performance and reduce the impact of thrust noise. The feedback control strategy proposed in this paper verifies the possibility of a microwave ion thruster as an actuator for super "static and precise" space experiment satellites and provides a feasible solution for the application of a microwave ion thruster in deep space science experiment missions such as gravitational wave detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To excite plasma in the core of a hollow fiber, a scheme similar to a slot antenna in the wall of a metal microwave waveguide was proposed and implemented. An analytical estimate of the magnitude of the electric field in the slot region where the fiber with a hollow core is placed has been obtained. Using the proposed scheme, the possibility of maintaining argon plasma in the core of a hollow fiber with a diameter as small as 110 μm was demonstrated. The total length of plasma column in the hollow-core fiber was up to 25 cm at Ar pressure ~10 Torr. The frequency of microwave radiation used was 2.4 GHz, the average generated power was below 20 W. The obtained luminescence spectra of argon plasma in the fiber core showed that the argon luminescence in our experiments was observed only in the form of radiation from neutral atoms. The results obtained show that the microwave slot antenna is a promising pumping scheme for gas-discharge fiber lasers based on hollow-core fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research that both initiated and developed a hybrid IR-laser system based on conversion of Q-switched slab radiofrequency discharge CO and CO2 lasers in various nonlinear crystals is reviewed. The developed broadband laser system operates in the spectral range from ~2 to ~20 μm because of generation of emission at difference and sum frequencies in these crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial discharge (PD) is a phenomenon often occurring in insulation system defects (cavities), which can significantly affect life and reliability. While broad knowledge on PD phenomenology of high-frequency transformers (HFT) has been achieved under ac sinusoidal voltage, much less work has been done to infer PD behavior under emerging high frequency pulsewidth modulation (PWM) operation conditions. An impediment has been the limited appropriate test equipment. A recently developed novel ±5 kV GaN-based high-frequency PWM supply with controllable dV/dt, voltage level and frequency has been developed. This article explores the application of these measurements to the testing of materials in this electrical environment. Two commonly used windings for HFT were tested under different applied voltage magnitudes, frequencies, and slew rates. According to the test results, at high frequency (up to 50 kHz) the electric field generated by space charge deposited by PD occurring during previous PWM pulses plays an important role in PD behavior. The frequency dependent permittivity of the insulation material can also affect PD measurement results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a clinical study of the complex treatment of pressure ulcers using the method of activation of reparative processes in tissues by cold plasma discharges initiated by high-frequency current are presented. Activation was carried out with a specialized device generating cold plasma discharges at frequencies of 0.11, 2.64, and 6.78 MHz. It was shown that the process of activation in the skin and muscle tissues of the bedsore zone proceeds most efficiently when using a current with a frequency of 6.78 MHz as compared to currents with a frequency of 2.64 and 0.11 MHz. For a needle electrode with a diameter of 0.3 mm, the optimal exposure parameters were power—(5.0 ± 1.5) W and time—(2.0–3.0) s. The results of the analysis of histological samples, histochemical, and bacteriological analysis confirmed the effect and showed the dynamics of the process of activation of reparative processes in the tissues of the bedsore wound under the influence of cold plasma discharges and a decrease in microbial contamination. The most pronounced effect of activation was formed during the period from 14 to 21 days. The effectiveness of therapy by the method of activation of reparative processes with cold plasma discharges, according to the criterion of the rate of wound healing, ranged from 14 to 16%, depending on the etiology of the decubitus wound. It is concluded that the activation of tissue reparative processes by glow-type plasma discharges as an integral part of the treatment of decubital ulcers is an effective link in the complex treatment of pressure sores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microwave plasma generator (MPG) of a sub-millimeter scale might be suitable for biomedical applications. However, there are still many unknowns regarding the MPG discharge behavior at this scale and specific conditions. A two-dimensional MPG model at the millimeter scale and its simulation and relative calculation in the COMSOL Multiphysics software are presented. A MPG filled with argon and helium is simulated, respectively. The frequency of a microwave source of about 5 GHz is considered. The number density and temperature of electrons as well as chemical composition are obtained at different power and pressure conditions. The electron density peaks slightly downstream of the crossing point, and the electron density is slightly asymmetrically in the y-plane due to the fact that the electromagnetic waves are absorbed asymmetrically. The electron temperature is relatively low everywhere, in part, due to the high operating pressure. The electron temperature peaks directly underneath the wave guide where the wave is absorbed. The electron density increases with the increase in the internal pressure and the input power of the MPG, the electron temperature decreases with the increase in the internal pressure of the MPG, but the electron temperature cannot be affected by the input power change of MPG. The amount of excited Ar+ and Ars (metastable atom) increases with the increase in the input power and pressure of MPG, but the amount of excited Ar almost remained unchanged. In addition, the amount of excited He almost remained unchanged, while the amount of excited He+, Hes (metastable atom), and He2+ increased with the increase in the input power and pressure of MPG. The simulation results of this model are thus informative for understanding the physical characteristics of millimeter-sized MPG, and it will provide a solid basis for the future development of such hardware in small plasma capsules for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the progress made in the treatment of nephrolithiasis, the existing methods of renal calculi destruction are not ideal and have both advantages and disadvantages. Considering the process of high-frequency glow discharge formation on the surface of an electrode and in an electrolyte solution, we obtained the results on the destruction of renal calculi in vitro. It was shown that the destruction of kidney stones by glow discharge plasma was caused by several processes—the plasma induced effect of hydrated electrons and shock wave effect of the electrolyte stimulated by electrical breakdowns in the plasma. The plasma generation modes were configured by estimating the thickness of the vapor–gas layer in which the plasma burns. Thus, the average rate of contact destruction of renal calculi was measured depending on the plasma generator input power and time of plasma exposure. We conclude that the method of stone fragmentation by high-frequency electrolyte plasma is rather perspective and can be used in endoscopic urology for percutaneous and transurethral lithotripsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]