Method and control unit for operating a plasma generation apparatus

A plasma initiation control system comprising:

• a voltage source connected to an anode and a cathode of a plasma generating apparatus;
• an ignition voltage source connected to the anode and the cathode;
• a control unit connected to the ignition voltage source and being structured and arranged to each of:
• continuously check to determine whether ignition of a plasma has occurred, and control the ignition voltage source such that upon detecting the ignition of the plasma, an igniting voltage supplied by the ignition voltage source is reduced or stopped.

A method of initiating plasma using a plasma initiation control system comprising a voltage source connected to an anode and a cathode of a plasma generating apparatus, an ignition voltage source connected to the anode and the cathode, and a control unit connected to the ignition voltage source, the method comprising:

• maintaining a voltage between an anode and a cathode;
• during the maintaining, applying an increasing igniting voltage between the anode and the cathode;
• during the applying, continuously checking to determine whether the ignition of the plasma has occurred;
• and
• when ignition of the plasma is determined to have occurred, reducing the igniting voltage while maintaining the voltage.