Abstract
In recent decades, there has been extensive research and development in the field of low-temperature plasma jets. These plasma sources operate at a low gas temperature and produce an abundance of highly reactive chemical species making them ideal candidates for numerous application purposes such as biomedical treatment, surface modification, and agricultural applications. In particular, atmospheric pressure plasma jets are extremely versatile tools due to their ability to operate in the open air. The plasma plume extends beyond the confinements of the device and can be up to several centimeters in length, allowing treatment of otherwise remote locations. The main obstacle faced by operating in the open air is the lack of control of the surrounding environment. This makes understanding the plasma chemistry, biology, and physical behaviour much more difficult since collisional reactions with ambient air now play a dominant role. For all applications of plasma jets, the plasma plume will be interacting with a particular surface. The interaction of the plasma with a target can greatly alter the plasma dynamics depending on these target properties such as the relative permittivity, potential (i.e. grounded or floating), and its distance from the plasma. Therefore, understanding the effect a target will have on the plasma dynamics is crucial for all applications. This thesis examines a kHz-driven helium atmospheric pressure plasma jet using multidiagnostic methods to characterise the general behaviour of the plasma jet both freely expanding and upon interaction with different targets.Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2028.
| Date of Award | Dec 2023 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Sponsors | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council |
| Supervisor | David Riley (Supervisor) & Thomas Field (Supervisor) |
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