Theoretical and experimental aspects of non-equilibrium plasmas in different regimes: fundamentals and selected applications

Abstract

This paper presents recent activities covering different plasma fields, from both theoretical and experimental point of views. An overview of the present interests of the scientific community is reported here. Starting from a brief description of the role of collisions in astrophysical plasmas, some fundamental aspects of gas discharges modelling, such as superelastic collisions and the basic concept of vibrational temperature, are discussed. Different plasma sources, as DBD and microwave discharges with their own specific applications, are reported. Edge plasmas in nuclear fusion reactors are investigated, focusing on the cooling mechanisms resulting from nitrogen puffing in the divertor region.

Numerical Simulation of Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge With Functionally Graded Material

“…The rate coefficients of electron impact reactions are obtained by solving Boltzmann's equation using BOLSIG+ 1 . Cross sections are taken from the Morgan, TRINITI, and Phelps databases [2][3][4] . What's more, the local field approximation is applied when calculating parameters, and the electron mean energy and electron transport coefficient are given as a function of reduced electric field.…”

“…DBD has the advantage of generating stable and uniform plasma, helping to avoid the transition to a high temperature arc with a constricted channel [2]. The production of oxidizing species in the DBD application of activating water for sanification such as hydrogen peroxide and ozone is efficient, giving the plasma antiseptic properties [3]. It is found that the externally enforced electric potential is able to generate a drift of the heavy species and electrons, leading to a charge density distribution which in turn creates distortions of the electric potential distribution in the bulk of the plasma [4].…”

Validation of an indirect nonthermal plasma sterilization process for disposable medical devices packed in blisters and cartons

“…[ 7,8 ] These compounds interact with bacteria, parasites, yeasts, molds, and viruses, damaging their structures and DNA, and eventually leading to their inactivation. [ 8–16 ]…”

“…[7,8] These compounds interact with bacteria, parasites, yeasts, molds, and viruses, damaging their structures and DNA, and eventually leading to their inactivation. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Nowadays, several different techniques exist for nonthermal plasma production at atmospheric pressure. These include microwave plasmas, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, corona discharges, gliding arcs, and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasmas.…”

Electron Impact Ionization of Metastable States of Diatomic Molecules

“…The assessed theoretical framework for the description of transient and stationary conditions of such plasmas is the state-to-state approach [5,6], where the quantum states of chemical species are treated independently in the master equations for the time evolution and characterized dynamically with state-specific cross sections and rate coefficients. The chemistry is coupled to the kinetics of free electrons and the internal and electron energy distributions are mutually affected.…”