Abstract: The invention concerns microcavity plasma devices and arrays with thin foil metal electrodes protected by metal oxide dielectric. Devices of the invention are amenable to mass production techniques, and may, for example, be fabricated by roll to roll processing. Exemplary devices of the invention are flexible. Embodiments of the invention provide for large arrays of microcavity plasma devices that can be made inexpensively. The structure of preferred embodiment microcavity plasma devices of the invention is based upon thin foils of metal that are available or can be produced in arbitrary lengths, such as on rolls. In a device of the invention, a pattern of microcavities is produced in a metal foil. Oxide is subsequently grown on the foil and within the microcavities (where plasma is to be produced) to protect the microcavity and electrically isolate the foil. A second metal foil is also encapsulated with oxide and is bonded to the first encapsulated foil.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 17, 2006
Date of Patent:
June 10, 2008
Assignee:
The Broad of Trusstees of the University of Illinois