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Now showing 1 - 10 of 88
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    Application of the transferred matrix method to a unified evaluation of the cathodic electron emission
    (New York, NY : American Inst. of Physics, 2018) Baeva, M.
    The work is concerned with the Transfer Matrix Method for solving the steady-state Schrödinger equation applied for a unified evaluation of the emission current density from non-refractory cathodes. The method is applicable to arbitrary shapes of the potential barrier and its transmission probability is obtained without any analytical approximations. The Fermi-Dirac distribution for the free electrons in the metal is considered as a supply function. The results, obtained for a work function of the cathode material of 4.5 eV over a wide range of values of the surface temperature and the electric field strength, clearly show a growing deviation from those obtained by the classical Jeffreys-Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation with the increase of the electric field strength. Preliminary results are obtained to demonstrate the applicability of the Transfer Matrix method to the evaluation of the ion-assisted electron emission. A significant local enhancement of the emission current density is obtained as a result of the presence of an ion at a fixed position near the metal surface. The effect becomes very strongly pronounced at an appropriate value of the electric field strength, for which a resonant ion contribution appears.
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    Microwave plasma discharges for biomass pretreatment: Degradation of a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose model
    (New York, NY : American Inst. of Physics, 2020) Honnorat, B.; Brüser, V.; Kolb, J.F.
    Biogas production is an important component of an environmentally benign renewable energy strategy. However, the cost-effectiveness of biogas production from biomass is limited by the presence of polymeric structures, which are recalcitrant to digestion by bacteria. Therefore, pretreatments must often be applied prior to anaerobic fermentation to increase yields of biogas. Many physico-chemical pretreatments have a high energy demand and are generally costly. An alternative could be the ignition of a plasma directly in the biomass substrate. The reactive species that are generated by plasma-liquid interactions, such as hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxides, could contribute significantly to the disintegration of cell walls and the breakage of poorly digestible polymers. With respect to economic, processing, and other potential benefits, a microwave instigated and sustained plasma was investigated. A microwave circuit transmitted 2-kW pulses into a recirculated sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution, which mimicked the rheological properties of biomass. Each microwave pulse had a duration of 12.5 ms and caused the ignition of a discharge after a vapor bubble had formed. Microwaves were absorbed in the process with an efficiency of ∼97%. Slow-motion imaging showed the development of the discharge. The plasma discharges provoked a decrease in the viscosity, probably caused by the shortening of polymer chains of the cellulose derivative. The decrease in viscosity by itself could reduce processing costs and promotes bacterial activity in actual biomass. The results demonstrate the potential of microwave in-liquid plasma discharges for the pretreatment of biomass. © 2020 Author(s).
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    The equivalent circuit approach for the electrical diagnostics of dielectric barrier discharges: The classical theory and recent developments
    (Basel : MDPI AG, 2019) Pipa, Andrei V.; Brandenburg, Ronny
    Measurements of current and voltage are the basic diagnostics for electrical discharges. However, in the case of dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs), the measured current and voltage waveforms are influenced by the discharge reactor geometry, and thus, interpretation of measured quantities is required to determine the discharge properties. This contribution presents the main stages of the development of electrical diagnostics of DBDs, which are based on lumped electrical elements. The compilation and revision of the contributions to the equivalent circuit approach are targeted to indicate: (1) the interconnection between the stage of development, (2) its applicability, and (3) the current state-of-the-art of this approach. © 2019 by the authors.
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    Comprehensive characterization of osseous tissues from impedance measurements by effective medium approximation
    (New York, NY : American Inst. of Physics, 2021) Wei, Wenzuo; Shi, Fukun; Zhuang, Jie; Kolb, Juergen F.
    A unified mixing (UM) model was developed to derive microstructural information of trabecular bone, i.e., bone volume fraction (BV/TV), from electrical impedance spectroscopy. A distinct advantage of the UM-model over traditional methods, such as equivalent circuit models and multivariate analysis, is that the influence of both the environment (hydroxyapatite) and different inclusions (water, fat, and air) can be taken into account simultaneously. In addition, interactions between the different components such as interfacial polarization can be addressed by a dedicated fitting parameter v. Accordingly, values of BV/TV for different bone samples, e.g., including or not including water, were determined in the higher frequency range of 1-5 MHz. Results showed good agreement with experimental data obtained by micro-computer tomography. In particular, predictions for dielectric parameters that were derived for 3 and 4 MHz were found most promising for the assessment and distinction of osteopathic conditions and differences. This was shown by a clear differentiation of osseous tissues, e.g., the greater trochanter, femoral head, and femoral neck.
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    On the relationship between SiF4plasma species and sample properties in ultra low-k etching processes
    (New York, NY : American Inst. of Physics, 2020) Haase, Micha; Melzer, Marcel; Lang, Norbert; Ecke, Ramona; Zimmermann, Sven; van Helden, Jean-Pierre H.; Schulz, Stefan E.
    The temporal behavior of the molecular etching product SiF4 in fluorocarbon-based plasmas used for the dry etching of ultra low-k (ULK) materials has been brought into connection with the polymer deposition on the surface during plasma treatment within the scope of this work. For this purpose, time-resolved measurements of the density of SiF4 have been performed by quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy. A quantification of the non-linear time dependence was achieved by its characterization via a time constant of the decreasing SiF4 density over the process time. The time constant predicts how fast the stationary SiF4 density is reached. The higher the time constant is, the thicker the polymer film on top of the treated ultra low-k surface. A correlation between the time constant and the ULK damage was also found. ULK damage and polymer deposition were proven by Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. In summary, the observed decay of the etching product concentration over process time is caused by the suppressed desorption of the SiF4 molecules due to a more dominant adsorption of polymers. © 2020 Author(s).
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    The HITRAN2020 molecular spectroscopic database
    (New York, NY [u.a.] : Elsevier, 2022) Gordon, I.E.; Rothman, L.S.; Hargreaves, R.J.; Hashemi, R.; Karlovets, E.V.; Skinner, F.M.; Conway, E.K.; Hill, C.; Kochanov, R.V.; Tan, Y.; Wcisło, P.; Finenko, A.A.; Nelson, K.; Bernath, P.F.; Birk, M.; Boudon, V.; Campargue, A.; Chance, K.V.; Coustenis, A.; Drouin, B.J.; Flaud, J.M.; Gamache, R.R.; Hodges, J.T.; Jacquemart, D.; Mlawer, E.J.; Nikitin, A.V.; Perevalov, V.I.; Rotger, M.; Tennyson, J.; Toon, G.C.; Tran, H.; Tyuterev, V.G.; Adkins, E.M.; Baker, A.; Barbe, A.; Canè, E.; Császár, A.G.; Dudaryonok, A.; Egorov, O.; Fleisher, A.J.; Fleurbaey, H.; Foltynowicz, A.; Furtenbacher, T.; Harrison, J.J.; Hartmann, J.M.; Horneman, V.M.; Huang, X.; Karman, T.; Karns, J.; Kassi, S.; Kleiner, I.; Kofman, V.; Kwabia-Tchana, F.; Lavrentieva, N.N.; Lee, T.J.; Long, D.A.; Lukashevskaya, A.A.; Lyulin, O.M.; Makhnev, V.Yu.; Matt, W.; Massie, S.T.; Melosso, M.; Mikhailenko, S.N.; Mondelain, D.; Müller, H.S.P.; Naumenko, O.V.; Perrin, A.; Polyansky, O.L.; Raddaoui, E.; Raston, P.L.; Reed, Z.D.; Rey, M.; Richard, C.; Tóbiás, R.; Sadiek, I.; Schwenke, D.W.; Starikova, E.; Sung, K.; Tamassia, F.; Tashkun, S.A.; Vander Auwera, J.; Vasilenko, I.A.; Vigasin, A.A.; Villanueva, G.L.; Vispoel, B.; Wagner, G.; Yachmenev, A.; Yurchenko, S.N.
    The HITRAN database is a compilation of molecular spectroscopic parameters. It was established in the early 1970s and is used by various computer codes to predict and simulate the transmission and emission of light in gaseous media (with an emphasis on terrestrial and planetary atmospheres). The HITRAN compilation is composed of five major components: the line-by-line spectroscopic parameters required for high-resolution radiative-transfer codes, experimental infrared absorption cross-sections (for molecules where it is not yet feasible for representation in a line-by-line form), collision-induced absorption data, aerosol indices of refraction, and general tables (including partition sums) that apply globally to the data. This paper describes the contents of the 2020 quadrennial edition of HITRAN. The HITRAN2020 edition takes advantage of recent experimental and theoretical data that were meticulously validated, in particular, against laboratory and atmospheric spectra. The new edition replaces the previous HITRAN edition of 2016 (including its updates during the intervening years). All five components of HITRAN have undergone major updates. In particular, the extent of the updates in the HITRAN2020 edition range from updating a few lines of specific molecules to complete replacements of the lists, and also the introduction of additional isotopologues and new (to HITRAN) molecules: SO, CH3F, GeH4, CS2, CH3I and NF3. Many new vibrational bands were added, extending the spectral coverage and completeness of the line lists. Also, the accuracy of the parameters for major atmospheric absorbers has been increased substantially, often featuring sub-percent uncertainties. Broadening parameters associated with the ambient pressure of water vapor were introduced to HITRAN for the first time and are now available for several molecules. The HITRAN2020 edition continues to take advantage of the relational structure and efficient interface available at www.hitran.org and the HITRAN Application Programming Interface (HAPI). The functionality of both tools has been extended for the new edition.
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    The effect of oxygen admixture on the properties of microwave generated plasma in Ar-O2: A modelling study
    (Bristol : IOP Publ., 2021) Baeva, M; Stankov, M; Trautvetter, T; Methling, R; Hempel, F; Loffhagen, D; Foest, R
    This work presents results of a self-consistent modelling analysis on microwave plasma generated in Ar-O2 mixtures at a frequency of 2.45 GHz at atmospheric pressure. The study focuses on how the plasma properties are influenced by the increase of the oxygen fraction in the gas mixture. The oxygen admixture is increased from 1% up to 95% in mass for values of the input microwave power of 1 and 1.5 kW. The results show that for a power of 1 kW and gradually increasing the oxygen admixture from 1% to 25% the electron density drops by a factor of more than four due to the energy lost by the electrons due to dissociation of oxygen molecules and the gas heating. An analysis of the number densities of species produced in the Ar-O2 plasma is presented. Oxygen admixtures of above 50% are considered along with an increase of the input microwave power in order to supply the discharge with electron number density values of the order of 1019 m-3. Gas temperatures above 3700 K are obtained in the plasma core along with a strong production of oxygen atoms with a number density of the order of 1023 m-3.
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    Electric field determination in transient plasmas: in situ & non-invasive methods
    (Bristol : IOP Publ., 2022) Goldberg, Benjamin M.; Hoder, Tomáš; Brandenburg, Ronny
    One of the primary basic plasma parameters within transient nonequilibrium plasmas is the reduced electric field strength, roughly understood as the ratio of the electrical energy given to the charged species between two collisions. While physical probes have historically been used for electric field measurements, recent advances in high intensity lasers and sensitive detection methods have allowed for non-invasive optical electric field determination in nearly any discharge configuration with time-resolution up to the sub-nanosecond range and sub-millimeter spatial resolution. This topical review serves to highlight several non-invasive methods for in situ electric field strength determination in transient plasmas ranging from high vacuum environments to atmospheric pressure and above. We will discuss the advantages and proper implementation of (i) laser induced fluorescence dip spectroscopy for measurements in low pressure RF discharges, (ii) optical emission spectroscopy based methods for nitrogen, helium or hydrogen containing discharges, (iii) electric field induced coherent Raman scattering, and (iv) electric field induced second harmonic generation. The physical mechanism for each method will be described as well as basic implementation and highlighting recent results.
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    Foundations of plasma standards
    (Bristol : IOP Publ., 2023) Alves, Luís L.; Becker, Markus M.; van Dijk, Jan; Gans, Timo; Go, David B.; Stapelmann, Katharina; Tennyson, Jonathan; Turner, Miles M.; Kushner, Mark J.
    The field of low-temperature plasmas (LTPs) excels by virtue of its broad intellectual diversity, interdisciplinarity and range of applications. This great diversity also challenges researchers in communicating the outcomes of their investigations, as common practices and expectations for reporting vary widely in the many disciplines that either fall under the LTP umbrella or interact closely with LTP topics. These challenges encompass comparing measurements made in different laboratories, exchanging and sharing computer models, enabling reproducibility in experiments and computations using traceable and transparent methods and data, establishing metrics for reliability, and in translating fundamental findings to practice. In this paper, we address these challenges from the perspective of LTP standards for measurements, diagnostics, computations, reporting and plasma sources. This discussion on standards, or recommended best practices, and in some cases suggestions for standards or best practices, has the goal of improving communication, reproducibility and transparency within the LTP field and fields allied with LTPs. This discussion also acknowledges that standards and best practices, either recommended or at some point enforced, are ultimately a matter of judgment. These standards and recommended practices should not limit innovation nor prevent research breakthroughs from having real-time impact. Ultimately, the goal of our research community is to advance the entire LTP field and the many applications it touches through a shared set of expectations.
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    Corrigendum: Dielectric barrier discharges: progress on plasma sources and on the understanding of regimes and single filaments (Plasma Sources Science and Technology (2017) 26 (053001) DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aa6426)
    (Bristol : IOP Publ., 2018) Brandenburg, Ronny
    The paper Dielectric barrier discharges: progress on plasma sources and on the understanding of regimes and single filaments? [1] contains a serious misprint in the section ?Electrical behavior and characterization?. The correct equation (5) for the determination of the gap voltage Ug is as follows (Formula Presented). The second term is the voltage across the barrier (Ub) which is determined by the charge Q t and the capacity of the barrier(s) Cd. The parameter 1 Ccell as written in the original paper is not correct, and a misprint. The sum of gap voltage and barrier voltage equals the applied voltage V t . Detailed explanations about the formula can be found in the cited literature, in particular [2-4].