Microwave reactor system enclosing a self-igniting plasma

A reactor system comprising:

• a microwave energy source configured to generate a microwave energy;
• a field-enhancing waveguide (FEWG) coupled to the microwave energy source, the FEWG including a field-enhancing zone having a cross-sectional area that decreases along a length of the FEWG, the field-enhancing zone comprising:
• a supply gas inlet configured to receive a supply gas;
• a reaction zone configured to generate a plasma in response to excitation of the supply gas by the microwave energy;
• a process inlet configured to inject a raw material into the reaction zone;
• and
• a constricted region configured to retain at least some of the generated plasma within the reaction zone, the constricted region further configured to combine the plasma and the raw material in response to microwave energy within the constricted region;
• an expansion chamber in fluid communication with the constricted region and configured to expand the plasma;
• and
• an outlet configured to output a plurality of carbon-inclusive particles derived from the expanded plasma and the raw material.