EE640: ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE PLASMA TECHNOLOGY:

BASIC CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS

ASSIGNMENT 1

● NAME: SUYASH MADALE

● ROLL NUMBER: 2004221
● COURSE INSTRUCTOR: DR. APEKSHA MADHUKAR
1. Write down the different ways of generating the non-thermal plasma using
electrical discharges, highlighting the various types of sources.
ANS:
Non-thermal plasma can be generated using various electrical discharge methods.
These methods involve the application of electrical energy to a gas, leading to the creation
of a plasma state. Here are some different ways of generating non-thermal plasma using
electrical discharges, along with various types of sources:

a. Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD):

i. Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) is a type of non-thermal plasma generation
method that involves the use of a dielectric material to create a barrier between
two electrodes. This barrier prevents the formation of a continuous electrical
discharge, resulting in a non-thermal plasma. DBD can be generated using various
sources such as AC voltage, pulsed DC voltage, or radiofrequency (RF) power.
ii. DBD typically involves two parallel electrodes with a dielectric material placed
between them. One of the electrodes is often covered with the dielectric material,
creating a barrier that limits the discharge to occur in a controlled manner.The
dielectric material is an insulator that prevents the direct contact between the
electrodes, restricting the discharge to occur through the gas in the gap between
the electrodes.
iii. The AC voltage is applied across the electrodes. The dielectric material prevents a
continuous arc discharge, and instead, the discharge occurs in a series of
micro-discharges or streamers.
iv. As the AC voltage is applied, it creates an electric field in the gap between the
electrodes. The electric field causes the ionization of the gas in the gap, leading to
the formation of plasma. The ionization occurs in a non-thermal manner, meaning
that the gas does not heat up significantly during the process.
v. DBD is characterized by a series of faint, low-current discharges that occur in a
controlled manner. The discharge is often visible as a glow, and it does not
produce intense heat, making it suitable for applications where thermal damage is
a concern.
vi. Applications:
■ Surface Treatment
■ Air and Water Purification
■ Ozone Generation
■ Thin Film Deposition
■ Biomedical treatments

b. Corona Discharge:
i. Corona discharge occurs when a high voltage is applied to a pointed electrode in a
gas. It is characterized by a faint glow around the electrode, and the discharge is
not thermalized. AC or pulsed DC sources are commonly used for corona
discharge.
ii. Corona discharge typically involves a pointed electrode and a grounded or
oppositely charged electrode. The pointed electrode is often referred to as a
corona electrode, and its shape facilitates the concentration of the electric field
around the pointed region.
iii. A high voltage is applied to the corona electrode. This high voltage creates a
strong electric field around the pointed tip. The strong electric field at the pointed
tip of the electrode causes the ionization of the surrounding gas molecules.
 Electrons are stripped from the gas molecules, creating positive ions and free
electrons.
iv. The ionization process results in the formation of a faint glow around the corona
electrode. This glow is characteristic of corona discharge.
v. Types of Corona Discharge:
■ Positive Corona: Occurs when the corona electrode is positively charged.
Positive ions are repelled from the electrode, and electrons are emitted into the
surrounding gas.
■ Negative Corona: Occurs when the corona electrode is negatively charged.
Negative ions are repelled from the electrode, and electrons are emitted into
the surrounding gas.
vi. Applications:
■ Air Purification
■ Electrostatic Precipitators
■ Ozone Generation
■ Photocopiers

c. Streamer Discharge:
i. Streamer discharge typically occurs when a high voltage is applied between two
electrodes in a gaseous medium. The voltage is usually high enough to cause the
ionization of the gas and initiate the formation of streamers.
ii. The high voltage creates a strong electric field in the gap between the electrodes.
The electric field ionizes the gas molecules, creating positively charged ions and
free electrons.
iii. As the gas becomes ionized, streamers or filaments of ionized gas start to form.
These streamers extend from one electrode toward the other.
iv. Streamers are thin, elongated channels of ionized gas that propagate through the
gap under the influence of the electric field. The leading edge of the streamer is
often referred to as the ionization front. This is the region where gas molecules
are ionized as the streamer progresses.
v. Streamers can propagate over relatively long distances, and they may exhibit
branching as the ionization front advances. The branching can lead to the creation
of a complex network of ionized channels in the gas.
vi. The ionized gas in the streamers collectively forms a non-thermal plasma. Unlike
thermal plasmas, the overall temperature of the gas does not increase
significantly during this process.
vii. Applications:
■ Pulsed Power Systems
■ Gas Discharges
■ Plasma Medicine
d. Capacitive Coupled Plasma (CCP):
i. CCP typically consists of two parallel electrodes, where one electrode is often a
powered electrode and the other serves as a grounded electrode. The sample or
the material to be treated is usually placed on the powered electrode.
ii. A high-frequency AC power source, often in the radiofrequency (RF) range, is
applied to the powered electrode. The high frequency is essential to create a
rapidly changing electric field.
iii. The high-frequency AC voltage creates an electric field between the electrodes.
This electric field induces charges in the gas between the electrodes without the
need for direct contact.
 iv. The induced charges lead to the ionization of the gas, forming a plasma state.
The ionization occurs in a non-thermal manner, meaning that the gas does not
heat up significantly during the process.
v. CCP is characterized by a stable and uniform plasma that is sustained between
the electrodes. The plasma is non-thermal, and the temperature is relatively low
compared to thermal plasmas, making it suitable for applications where
heat-sensitive materials need to be treated.
vi. Applications:
■ Plasma Cleaning
■ Textile Treatment
■ Semiconductor Manufacturing
■ Material Processing

2. Design a 25 kV Nano second pulse power for a small scale plasma reactor using a
12 V DC power supply.
ANS:
Circuit diagram:
Output Waveform:

[The .slx File is attached along with the assignment]