Abstract: Polymer materials such as film and fabrics, woven, non-woven and meltblown, may be non-destructively surface treated to improve water wettability by exposure to a glow discharge plasma sustained at substantially atmospheric pressure in a modified gas atmosphere comprising helium or argon.

Abstract: A steady-state, glow discharge plasma is generated at one atmosphere of pressure within the volume between a pair of insulated metal plate electrodes spaced up to 5 cm apart and R.F. energized with an rms potential of 1 to 5 KV at 1 to 100 KHz. Space between the electrodes is occupied by air, nitrous oxide, a noble gas such as helium, neon, argon, etc. or mixtures thereof. The electrodes are charged by an impedance matching network adjusted to produce the most stable, uniform glow discharge.

Abstract: Polymer materials such as film and fabrics, woven, non-woven and meltblown, may be non-destructively surface treated to improve water wettability, wickability, and other characteristics by exposure to a glow discharge plasma sustained at substantially atmospheric pressure in air or modified gas atmospheres comprising helium or argon.

Abstract: A steady-state, glow discharge plasma is generated within the volume between a pair of parallel, insulated metal plate electrodes spaced up to 5 cm apart and R.F. energized with an rms potential of 1 to 5 KV at 1 to 100 KHz. The electrodes are located within an enclosure capable of maintaining an atmosphere other than atmospheric air between the electrode surfaces. Space between the electrodes is occupied by a noble gas such as helium, neon, argon, etc. or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Microwave absorption in a varying magnetic field is investigated near electron cyclotron resonance with a network analyzer which is capable of swept frequency measurements, and of measuring reflection and transmission coefficients from 0.045 to 18 GHz, with greater than 80 dB dynamic range. The experimental conditions are such that the plasma is generated in a modified Penning discharge in a magnetic mirror configuration. A microwave beam is caused to propagate along the axis of the magnetic mirror field in the plasma column. The microwave beam is attenuated near the electron cyclotron resonance frequency, providing microwave absorption over a range of frequencies spanning the electron cyclotron frequencies present in the axially varying magnetic field. The attenuation, along with hot-plasma effects, are measured as a function of frequency by the network analyzer.