Abstract
The (DC-GDPAU) is a DC glow discharge plasma experiment that was designed, established, and operated in the Physics Department at Ain Shams University (Egypt). The aim of this experiment is to study and improve some properties of a printed circuit board (PCB) by exposing it to the plasma. The device consists of cylindrical discharge chamber with movable parallel circular copper electrodes (cathode and anode) fixed inside it. The distance between them is 12 cm. This plasma experiment works in a low-pressure range (0.15 - 0.70 Torr) for Ar gas with a maximum DC power supply of 200 W. The Paschen curves and electrical plasma parameters (current, volt, power, resistance) characterized to the plasma have been measured and calculated at each cm between the two electrodes. Besides, the electron temperature and ion density are obtained at different radial distances using a double Langmuir probe. The electron temperature (KTe) was kept stable in range 6.58 to 10.44 eV; whereas the ion density (ni) was in range from 0.91 × 1010 cm−3 to 1.79 × 1010 cm−3. A digital optical microscope (800×) was employed to draw a comparison between the pre-and after effect of exposure to plasma on the shaping of the circuit layout. The experimental results show that the electrical conductivity increased after plasma exposure, also an improvement in the adhesion force in the Cu foil surface. A significant increase in the conductivity can be directly related to the position of the sample surfaces as well as to the time of exposure. This shows the importance of the obtained results in developing the PCBs manufacturing that uses in different microelectronics devices like those onboard of space vehicles.
Highlights
The non-thermal plasma, which is named cold or non-equilibrium plasma, is weakly ionized with electron temperatures of a little eV and colder ion temperatures [1] [2]
The characterization of the DC glow discharge plasma was determined by three parts, Paschen curves, and electrical plasma parameters, in addition to electron temperature and ion density of the plasma
The aim of this work is to establish a cold plasma experiment with specifications and characteristics that are in the normal range of previous DC glow discharge plasma experiments in other labs around the world
Summary
The non-thermal plasma, which is named cold or non-equilibrium plasma, is weakly ionized with electron temperatures of a little eV and colder ion temperatures [1] [2]. It is produced when a direct current from a DC power supply is applied between these two parallel electrodes to a low-pressure gas [3] [4]. The glow discharge owes its name to the fact that plasma is luminous; the luminosity is produced because the electrons gain sufficient energy to generate visible light by excitation collisions which generate photons. Involved in the formation of glow discharges are the formation of restricted electric fields and plasma sheaths at each of the electrodes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
