Experimentally obtained values of electric field of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet impinging on a dielectric surface

We report on experimentally obtained values of the electric field magnitude on a dielectric surface induced by an impinging atmospheric pressure plasma jet. The plasma plume was striking the dielectric surface at an angle of 45°, at 5 mm from the surface measured at the axis of the jet. The results were obtained using Pockels technique on a BSO (Bi12SiO20) crystal. A coaxial configuration of the plasma jet was used, operating in a stable mode with one bullet per voltage period, at 30 kHz and amplitude of 2 kV. The electric field was shown to be a function of the gas flow (He, at 300, 500 and 700 SCCM) and the manner in which the discharge spreads over the dielectric surface. The maximum value of 11.6 × 105 V m−1 was obtained at the negative half-period of the discharge current measured at the grounded electrode, at the flow of 300 SCCM. The largest electric field averaged over the area of the spreading of the discharge (3.6 × 105 V m−1) was found in the same conditions. (fast track communication)