Theoretical investigation of a miniature microwave driven plasma jet

Abstract

Radio frequency driven plasma jets are compact plasma sources which are used in many advanced fields such as surface engineering or biomedicine. The MMWICP (miniature micro wave ICP) is a particular variant of that device class. Unlike other plasma jets which employ capacitive coupling, the MMWICP uses the induction principle. The jet is integrated into a miniature cavity structure which realizes an LC-resonator with a high quality factor. When excited at its resonance frequency, the resonator develops a high internal current which—transferred to the plasma via induction—provides an efficient source of RF power. This work presents a theoretical model of the MMWICP. The possible operation points of the device are analyzed. Two different regimes can be identified, the capacitive E-mode with a plasma density of ne ≈ 5 × 1017 m−3, and the inductive H-mode with densities of ne ⩾ 1019 m−3. The E to H transition shows a pronounced hysteresis behavior.