Argon Glow Discharge Research Articles

Flush-mounted probe diagnostics for argon glow discharge plasma.

A comparison is made between plasma parameters measured by a flush-mounted probe (FP) and a cylindrical probe (CP) in argon glow discharge plasma. Parameters compared include the space potential, the plasma density, and the effective electron temperature. It is found that the ion density determined by the FP agrees well with the electron density determined by the CP in the quasi-neutral plasma to better than 10%. Moreover, the space potential and effective electron temperature calculated from electron energy distribution function measured by the FP is consistent with that measured by the CP over the operated discharge current and pressure ranges. These results present the FP can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool in the stable laboratory plasma and also be anticipated to be applied in other complicated plasmas, such as tokamaks, the region of boundary-layer, and so on.

Investigation of Hot Cathode and Hollow Anode of Argon Glow Discharge Plasma

Hot cathode and hollow anode argon DC glow discharge plasma at different pressures of (0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.09, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mbar) has been investigated. The experiments were carried out under the influence of pressure and filament cathode current on voltage – current characteristics of glow discharge and its breakdown voltage. Plasma parameters have been measured and obtained using single probe method at fixed discharge current (Id=1.88 mA) and hollow anode diameter. A computer MATLAB program is performed for this purpose. It was shown that the discharge voltage – current characteristics curve has a positive resistance and represents an abnormal glow region at pressure (0.04 and 0.06) mbar for different filament current. The breakdown voltage increases as the filament current is increased. In different pressure, electron temperature shows different behavior with increasing filament current. Electron density varies nearly inversely with the filament current, but it is increase due to increase of pressure from (1 to 3 mbar), then tends to decrease for the higher pressure. There are two groups of electrons according to the two peaks of (EEDFs), and the peaks amplitude decrease, with the increases of both filament current and gas pressure.

Synthesis of AuPd alloyed nanoparticles via room-temperature electron reduction with argon glow discharge as electron source.

Argon glow discharge has been employed as a cheap, environmentally friendly, and convenient electron source for simultaneous reduction of HAuCl4 and PdCl2 on the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) substrate. The thermal imaging confirms that the synthesis is operated at room temperature. The reduction is conducted with a short time (30 min) under the pressure of approximately 100 Pa. This room-temperature electron reduction operates in a dry way and requires neither hydrogen nor extra heating nor chemical reducing agent. The analyses using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm all the metallic ions have been reduced. The characterization with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) shows that AuPd alloyed nanoparticles are formed. There also exist some highly dispersed Au and Pd monometallic particles that cannot be detected by XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) because of their small particle sizes. The observed AuPd alloyed nanoparticles are spherical with an average size of 14 nm. No core-shell structure can be observed. The room-temperature electron reduction can be operated in a larger scale. It is an easy way for the synthesis of AuPd alloyed nanoparticles.

Irradiation of silver and agar/silver nanoparticles with argon, oxygen glow discharge plasma, and mercury lamp.

The irradiation effect of argon, oxygen glow discharge plasma, and mercury lamp on silver and agar/silver nanoparticle samples is studied. The irradiation time dependence of the synthesized silver and agar/silver nanoparticle absorption spectra and their antibacterial effect are studied and compared. In the agar/silver nanoparticle sample, as the irradiation time of argon glow discharge plasma or mercury lamp increases, the peak intensity and the full width at half maximum, FWHM, of the surface plasmon resonance absorption band is increased, however a decrease of the peak intensity with oxygen glow plasma has been observed. In the silver nanoparticle sample, as the irradiation time of argon, oxygen glow discharge plasma or mercury lamp increases, the peak intensity of the surface plasmon resonance absorption band is increased, however, there is no significant change in the FWHM of the surface plasmon resonance absorption band. The SEM results for both samples showed nanoparticle formation with mean size about 50 nm and 40 nm respectively. Throughout the irradiation time with the argon, oxygen glow discharge plasma or mercury lamp, the antibacterial activity of several kinds of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria has been examined.

Numerical study of effect of secondary electron emission on discharge characteristics in low pressure capacitive RF argon discharge

Based on the drift and diffusion approximation theory, a 1D fluid model on capacitively coupled RF argon glow discharge at low pressure is established to study the effect of secondary electron emission (SEE) on the discharge characteristics. The model is numerically solved by using a finite difference method and the numerical results are obtained. The numerical results indicate that when the SEE coefficient is larger, the plasma density is higher and the time of reaching steady state is longer. It is also found that the cycle-averaged electric field, electric potential, and electron temperature change a little as the SEE coefficient is increased. Moreover, the discharge characteristics in some nonequilibrium discharge processes with different SEE coefficients have been compared. The analysis shows that when the SEE coefficient is varied from 0.01 to 0.3, the cycle-averaged electron net power absorption, electron heating rate, thermal convective term, electron energy dissipation, and ionization all have different degrees of growth. While the electron energy dissipation and ionization are quite special, there appear two peaks near each sheath region in the discharge with a relatively larger SEE coefficient. In this case, the discharge is certainly operated in a hybrid α-γ-mode.

CO2 reforming of methane over Ni-Cu/Al2O3-ZrO2 nanocatalyst : The influence of plasma treatment and process conditions on catalytic properties and performance

Argon glow discharge plasma was applied for treatment of impregnated Ni-Cu/Al2O3-ZrO2 nanocatalyst. The catalytic performance toward CO2 reforming of methane and the physicochemical properties were investigated by means of GC, BET, XRD, FESEM, TEM, EDX, TG-DTG, XPS and FTIR techniques. The plasma-treated nanocatalyst contains smaller crystal size and high dispersion of NiO. Plasma treatment decreased particle size and plasma high energy species flattened particles on support, increasing the interaction between support and active metals which leads to high catalytic activity. Low temperature activity and H2/CO ratio closer to 1 was observed for plasma-treated nanocatalyst compared to non-treated sample. Moreover, higher product yield and H2/CO ratio was found in CH4/CO2=1 rather than CH4/CO2=1.5. Time on stream test during 1,440 min at 850 °C showed plasma-treated Ni-Cu/Al2O3-ZrO2 nanocatalyst did not experience any deactivation in terms of CH4 and CO2 conversion and H2/CO ratio.

Influence of Forbidden Processes on Similarity Law in Argon Glow Discharge at Low Pressure

The similarity law of gas discharge is not always valid due to the occurrence of some elementary processes, such as the stepwise ionization process, which are defined as the forbidden processes. To research the influence of forbidden processes on the similarity law, physical parameters (i.e., the electric field, electron density, electron temperature) in similar gaps are investigated based on the fluid model of gas discharge. The products of gas pressure p and dimensions are kept to be constant in similar gaps and the discharge model is solved with and without the forbidden processes, respectively. Discharges in similar gaps are identified as glow discharges and the typical similarity relations all are investigated. The results show that the forbidden processes cause significant deviations of similarity relations from the theoretical ones and the deviations are enlarged as the scaled-down factor k increases. If the forbidden processes are excluded from the model, the similarity law will be valid in argon glow discharge at low pressure.

Dynamics of multiple double layers in high pressure glow discharge in a simple torus

Parametric characterization of multiple double layers is done during high pressure glow discharge in a toroidal vessel of small aspect ratio. Although glow discharge (without magnetic field) is known to be independent of device geometry, but the toroidal boundary conditions are conducive to plasma growth and eventually the plasma occupy the toroidal volume partially. At higher anode potential, the visibly glowing spots on the body of spatially extended anode transform into multiple intensely luminous spherical plasma blob structures attached to the tip of the positive electrode. Dynamics of multiple double layers are observed in argon glow discharge plasma in presence of toroidal magnetic field. The radial profiles of plasma parameters measured at various toroidal locations show signatures of double layer formation in our system. Parametric dependence of double layer dynamics in presence of toroidal magnetic field is presented here.

Measurement of electron density in atmospheric pressure argon glow discharge

In this report, an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) in argon has been invest igated by means of electrical measurement using parallel plate electrodes. The discharge was produced by passing argon gas at controlled f low rate of 1 lit/min, with dielectric barrier of glass between the electrodes. The inter -electrode spacing was varied from 1 mm to 3 mm. The electrical measurement of the discharge showed that there exists only one current pulse per half cycle in the current waveform indicating the formation of glow discharge. Power balance method was applied for the determinat ion of electron density. Our results showed that the electron density in the discharge is of the order of 1010 cm−3 with 26 kHz frequency of high voltage power supply.

Excitation and transition rate diagrams of singly ionized iron in analytical glow discharges in argon, neon and an argon–hydrogen mixture

Excitation and ionization processes of iron ions in argon-, neon- and argon–hydrogen glow discharges are described based on transition rate diagrams.

Excitation of higher levels of singly charged copper ions in argon and neon glow discharges

Transition rate diagrams of copper ions in argon and neon glow discharges are presented, using data from Cu ii emission spectra.

Application of dust grains and Langmuir probe for plasma diagnostics

This paper presents the results of the analysis of the experimentally measured width of the dust-free region around a single electric probe in a dusty plasma of glow discharge. The experimental results were compared with the data of a theoretical study on the basis of the balance equation of the dust particles thermal energy and their electrostatic interaction energy with the probe. An alternative method for the determination of the buffer plasma parameters was developed by measuring the dust-free region area around the probe. Using this method the temperature and the concentration of electrons in an argon glow discharge plasma in the pressure range from to were determined.

Transition rate diagrams — A new approach to the study of selective excitation processes: The spectrum of manganese in a Grimm-type glow discharge

The emission spectra of manganese observed using a Grimm-type glow discharge in pure argon, argon with 0.3% v/v hydrogen and pure neon were studied in order to identify major excitation and ionization processes of manganese in the plasma. A new procedure is proposed, in which each observed emission line is associated with the corresponding transition between different states of the Mn atom or Mn ion, and, by considering all the observed transitions from and into a specific state, a measure of the total rate is determined at which this state is radiatively populated and depopulated. These resulting population/depopulation rates are then plotted as function of level energy. Such plots, called here “transition rate diagrams”, show the role of individual states in the formation of the observed spectrum and can be used to identify possible selective excitation processes. Also, cascade excitation by radiative decay of higher excited states can be conveniently evaluated in this way. A detailed description of the observed Mn I and Mn II spectra is given for Ar, Ar–H2 and Ne plasmas and relevant excitation/ionization mechanisms are discussed. Matrix effects in analysis of manganese by glow discharge spectroscopy are discussed. A list of important Mn I and Mn II lines excited in the glow discharge plasma is given.

One-step fabrication of self-assembled peptide thin films with highly dispersed noble metal nanoparticles.

Fabrication of organic thin films with highly dispersed inorganic nanoparticles is a very challenging topic. In this work, a new approach that combines electron-induced molecular self-assembly with simultaneous nanoparticle formation by room temperature electron reduction was developed to prepare peptide thin films with highly dispersed noble metal nanoparticles. Argon glow discharge was employed as the resource of electrons. The peptide motif KLVFF (Aβ16-20) self-assembled into two-dimensional membranes under the influence of hydrated electrons, while the metal ions in solution can be simultaneously reduced by electrons to form nanoparticles. Our TEM imaging reveals that metal nanoparticles were well-distributed in the resulting peptide thin films. Our results also suggest that the size of metal nanoparticles can be tuned by varying the initial concentration of the metal ion. This simple approach can be viewed as a promising strategy to create hybrid thin films that integrate functional inorganics into biomolecule scaffolds.

Influence of ion drag force on radial distribution of dust particles and void formation in a DC glow discharge

A model of the positive column of a DC glow discharge in argon with dust particles is presented. The model is based on the solution of the non-local Boltzmann equation for the electron energy distribution function (EEDF), the drift-diffusion equations for ions, and the Poisson equation for a self-consistent electric field. The radial distribution of dust particles density in a dust cloud is calculated according to an equilibrium Boltzmann distribution in the electrostatic field and under the action of the ion drag force. It is shown that if in the center of the discharge tube the ion drag force is larger than the electrostatic force, a dust-free region (void) in the central part of the dust cloud is formed. Otherwise (for a smaller ion drag force) the dust cloud is formed around the axis of the discharge tube without a void. In both cases, in the region of the dust cloud the ionization and recombination rates become almost equal to each other, and the radial component of the electric field is expelled from the dust cloud.

Kinetics Characteristics and Bremsstrahlung of Argon DC Discharge Under Atmospheric Pressure

An improved self-consistent, multi-component, and one-dimensional plasma model for simulating atmospheric pressure argon glow discharge is presented. In the model, both the plasma hydrodynamics model and chemical model are considered. The numerical simulation is carried out for parallel-plate geometry with a separation of 0.06 cm. The results show that Ar* plays a major role in the discharge, which is mainly produced by ground state excitation reaction. The electron temperature reaches its maximum in the cathode sheath but maintains a low value (0.23 eV) in bulk plasma. Elastic collision is the dominant volumetric electron energy loss in atmosphere argon glow discharge, which is negligible in low pressure argon glow discharge. The metastable step-wise ionization is the main mechanism for electron production to sustain the discharge. However, the highest contribution to electron production rate is ground state ionization reaction. The bremsstrahlung power density is related to electric voltage. With the increase of the electric voltage, the bremsstrahlung power density increases, namely, the strength of ultraviolet radiation spectrum enhances in the cathode sheath.

Growth of tungsten nanoparticles in direct-current argon glow discharges

The growth of nanoparticles from the sputtering of a tungsten cathode in DC argon glow discharges is reported. The study was performed at fixed argon pressure and constant discharge current. The growth by successive agglomerations is evidenced. First, tungsten nanocrystallites agglomerate into primary particles, the most probable size of which being ∼30 nm. Primary particles of this size are observed for all plasma durations and always remain the most numerous in the discharge. Primary particles quickly agglomerate to form particles with size up to ∼150 nm. For short plasma duration, log-normal functions describe accurately the dust particle size distributions. On the contrary, for long discharge durations, a second hump appears in the distributions toward large particle sizes. In the meantime, the discharge voltage, electron density, and emission line intensities strongly evolve. Their evolutions can be divided in four separate phases and exhibit unusual distinctive features compared to earlier observations in discharges in which particles were growing. The evolution of the different parameters is explained by a competition between the surface state of the tungsten cathode and the influence of the growing nanoparticles. The differences with sputtering glow discharges and chemically active plasmas suggest that the nanoparticle growth and its influence on discharge parameters is system and material dependent.

Generation of uniform atmospheric pressure argon glow plasma by dielectric barrier discharge

In this paper, atmospheric pressure glow discharges (APGD) in argon generated in parallel plate dielectric barrier discharge system is investigated by means of electrical and optical measurements. Using a high voltage (0–20 kV) power supply operating at 10–30 kHz, homogeneous and steady APGD has been observed between the electrodes with gap spacing from 0.5 mm to 2 mm and with a dielectric barrier of thickness 2 mm while argon gas is fed at a controlled flow rate of 1 l/min. The electron temperature and electron density of the plasma are determined by means of optical emission spectroscopy. Our results show that the electron density of the discharge obtained is of the order of 1016 cm − 3 while the electron temperature is estimated to be 0.65 eV. The important result is that electron density determined from the line intensity ratio method and stark broadening method are in very good agreement. The Lissajous figure is used to estimate the energy deposited to the glow discharge. It is found that the energy deposited to the discharge is in the range of 20 to 25 μJ with a discharge voltage of 1.85 kV. The energy deposited to the discharge is observed to be higher at smaller gas spacing. The glow discharge plasma is tested to be effective in reducing the hydrophobicity of polyethylene film significantly.

Effects of glow discharge cleanings on hydrogen isotope removal for plasma facing materials

Abstract The effect of the discharge cleanings on hydrogen isotope removal have been evaluated for graphite, stainless steel, tungsten, boron and titanium. For all materials, the helium glow discharge cleaning was the most effective on the hydrogen isotope removal among the inert gas discharges. High efficiency of energy transfer to target atom and deep projected range for helium ion might be responsible for the high removal fraction. The effect of argon glow discharge cleaning was small. The small removal fraction for the argon might be owing to re-deposition layer, which acted as a screening to the removal. The hydrogen isotope in the tungsten was hardly removed by the inert gas discharge cleanings. The small removal fraction for the tungsten might be owing to hydrogen isotope retention in deeper regions resulting from diffusion along with the grain boundary or the porous structure. Surface impurity and morphologies significantly influenced the deuterium removal effects.

Plasma non-equilibrium of the DC normal glow discharges in atmospheric pressure atomic and molecular gases

Electrical and spectroscopic results of comprehensive investigations of atmospheric pressure glow discharges in helium, argon, nitrogen and air in a large current range are presented. Our attention in these investigations is mainly focused on the characterization of positive column plasmas at discharge gap of 10 mm. It was shown that helium, nitrogen and air positive columns transform from diffuse to constricted mode when discharge current increases. In argon discharge, it is constricted in the whole range of investigated currents. Reduced electric field, gas temperature, average electron energy and electron concentration were determined. The positive column plasmas of all the atmospheric pressure glow discharges studied are non-equilibrium and weakly ionized. Plasma non-equilibrium degree in atomic gases of helium and argon is essentially higher than in molecular nitrogen and air. For all gases, plasma non-equilibrium degree in a positive column decreases with discharge current increase.