MICPLASMAS

Microscopic Plasma Sources: Novel Diagnostics and Circuit Integration

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'It is proposed that Lawrence J. Overzet (LJO), Professor and Assoc. Depart. Chair of Electrical Engineering at The Univ. of Texas at Dallas, move to work with R. Dussart, P. Lefaucheux and their team at CNRS-GREMI / Polytech Orleans for 12 months. The work will focus on micro-plasma source diagnostics and development. In particular, the team will research novel and quantitative diagnostics of micro plasma sources (MPSs) and Micro-Cathode Sustained Discharges (MCSDs). The objective will be to develop MPSs and MCSDs as sources of beneficial chemical species and as tools for the abatement of detrimental chemical species. The longer-term goal is to integrate electronic circuitry with the MPSs and MCSDs to add new capability as well as control. Combining skills and knowledge for one year will greatly increase the progress in this important and interdisciplinary area of plasma science, as well as solidify a long-term international collaboration on this topic. Already, the group at GREMI is fabricating micro-plasma source arrays in silicon. LJO has needed expertise on Si fabrication and plasma diagnostics which will help to springboard this research to world leading level. Therefore the goals of the project are: [1] The transfer to GREMI of Radio Frequency diagnostics, including training on and further development of the techniques, as well as use in diagnosing MPSs and MCSDs; [2] The establishment at GREMI of FTIR diagnostics of MPSs and MCSDs by combining LJO’s expertise and GREMI equipment (new but presently unused); [3] Joint research using UV-Visible Optical Spectroscopic diagnostics of MPSs and MCSDs; [4] Joint research on integrating electronic devices with MPSs and MCSDs; and [5] Outreach activities to Polytech Orleans students as well as local high school students along the lines of the “Marie Curie Ambassador” model. Each goal is expected to lead to results that are high impact.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Plasma televisions are only one of many devices that exploit materials consisting of positive ions and free electrons. Novel diagnostics to evaluate sources that produce plasmas should foster future development work and new technology.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Plasma is a distinct phase of matter along with solids, liquids and gases. It is often called ionised gas as it is made up of positively charged ions and unbound electrons.

Plasma is the cornerstone of numerous technologies and devices including flat panel displays, water purification, film deposition, lighting and biomedical sterilisation. EU-funded scientists developed microplasma sources and microdischarges (microcathode sustained discharges) within the project 'Microscopic plasma sources: novel diagnostics and circuit integration' (MICROPLASMAS).

Work involved extensive development of data analysis and control programs. The team established a test setup for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy diagnostics of the developed plasma and discharge sources. They used it for evaluation of ultraviolet-visible optical spectroscopic characteristics.

Work led to determination of the primary reason for failure of one of the sources and clear elucidation of reaction species in microplasma sources. It also demonstrated that radio-frequency diagnostics of microplasma sources are in fact less valuable than proposed.

Success was not only technical in nature. The team made numerous presentations to university and high school students to share their enthusiasm and knowledge regarding the project topics of research.

MICROPLASMAS employed novel diagnostics to the study of microplasma sources that are the foundation of many different current and planned technology applications. In addition to research results, the exchange programme enhanced the level of research at partner laboratories and provided a strong basis for continued collaboration.