Abstract: A glow plasma discharge device having an electrode (20, 40) covered with perforated dielectric (30) is disclose.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultraviolet light source driven by a capillary discharge plasma and a method for surface treatment using the same. More specifically, an ultraviolet light source driven by a capillary discharge plasma includes an AC power supply as a power source, at least one first electrode connected to the power source, a dielectric body having at least one capillary discharge site therein and enclosing at least a portion of the first electrode, wherein each capillary discharge site is substantially aligned with each first electrode, so that the first electrode is exposed by the capillary site, at least one second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode, a gas tight chamber enclosing the first and second electrodes and the dielectric body including a working gas, and a window attached to the chamber substantially passing only ultraviolet light from a capillary discharge plasma.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing glow plasma discharges by suppressing the transition from glow-to-arc includes a perforated or apertured dielectric plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and one or more holes extending therethrough. The perforated dielectric plate is positioned over the cathode. Each of the holes acts as a separate active current limiting micro-channel that prevents the overall current density from increasing above the threshold for the glow-to-arc transition. This allows for a stable glow discharge to be maintained for a wide range of operating pressures (up to atmospheric pressures) and in a wide range of electric fields include DC and RF fields of varying strength. In another embodiment, the device comprises an AC glow plasma discharge device wherein an apertured dielectric is placed over an electrode. The apertured dielectric may have one or more apertures or capillaries extending therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing glow plasma discharges by suppressing the transition from glow-to-arc includes a perforated dielectric plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of holes extending therethrough. The perforated dielectric plate is positioned over the cathode. Each of the holes acts as a separate active current limiting micro-channel that prevents the overall current density from increasing above the threshold for the glow-to-arc transition. This allows for a stable glow discharge to be maintained for a wide range of operating pressures (up to atmospheric pressures) and in a wide range of electric fields include DC and RF fields of varying strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing glow plasma discharges by suppressing the transition from glow-to-arc includes a perforated dielectric plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of holes extending therethrough. The perforated dielectric plate is positioned over the cathode. Each of the holes acts as a separate active current limiting micro-channel that prevents the overall current density from increasing above the threshold for the glow-to-arc transition. This allows for a stable glow discharge to be maintained for a wide range of operating pressures (up to atmospheric pressures) and in a wide range of electric fields include DC and RF fields of varying strength.