Suppression of self pulsing dc driven nonthermal microplasma discharge to operate in a steady dc mode
AssigneeUniversity of South Carolina
InventorsTanvir Farouk, Rajib Mahamud
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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.
Claims11
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.
The suppressor circuit of 1, wherein the inductor increases the combined response time of the plasma and the inductor, such that t L/Rdischarge>t RballastCp.
The suppressor circuit of 1, wherein the plasma discharge characteristics are obtained from the solution of the below equation:
- V
- =
- L
- x
-
- dI
- dt
- +
- R
- discharge
-
- I
- V
- =
- V
- s
- -
- IR
- discharge
- -
- R
- ballast
-
- C
- p
-
- dV
- dt
The suppressor circuit of 1, wherein the inductor shifts a negative differential resistance region into lower current regimes.
The suppressor circuit of X, wherein two electrodes having a separation distance of from 100 μm to 400 μm form the plasma discharge.
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.
The system of 6, wherein varying an inductance value increases a response time of plasma to a value wherein t Lx/Rdischarge>t RballastCp thereby making a driving circuit response time shorter.
The system of 6, wherein the system shifts a negative differential resistance region into lower current regimes.
The system of 6, wherein the inductor increases the combined response time of the plasma and the inductor, such that t L/Rdischarge>t RballastCp.
The system of 6, wherein the plasma discharge characteristics are obtained from the solution of the below equation:
- V
- =
- L
- x
-
- dI
- dt
- +
- R
- discharge
-
- I
- V
- =
- V
- s
- -
- IR
- discharge
- -
- R
- ballast
-
- C
- p
-
- dV
- dt
The system of 6, wherein the plasma discharge is formed between two electrodes having a separation distance of from 100 μm to 400 μm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.