Characterization of Microwave Plasma Torch for Decontamination

• Published in: Plasma processes and polymers Vol. 5; no. 6; pp. 577 - 582
• Main Authors: Shimizu, Tetsuji, Steffes, Bernd, Pompl, René, Jamitzky, Ferdinand, Bunk, Wolfram, Ramrath, Katrin, Georgi, Matthias, Stolz, Wilhelm, Schmidt, Hans-Ulrich, Urayama, Takuya, Fujii, Shuitsu, Morfill, Gregor Eugen
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 15.08.2008; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: Bacteria; Culture; Cylinders; Electric discharges; Electrodes; Escherichia coli; Exact sciences and technology; Gas temperature; High-frequency discharges; microwave discharges; Microwave plasmas; Microwaves; non-thermal plasmas; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma applications; Plasma devices; Plasma torches; plasma treatment; therapy of chronic foot ulcers; Plasma torches; Plasma applications; Therapy; plasma treatment; Chronic disease; Escherichia coli; Plasma assisted processing; Microwave plasma; Non thermal plasma; Ulcers; Charged particles; microwave discharges; therapy of chronic foot ulcers; Medical application; Microwave discharge; non-thermal plasmas; Low temperature
• ISSN: 1612-8850; 1612-8869; 1612-8869
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.200800021

An atmospheric low‐temperature microwave plasma torch has been developed and applied to disinfection. The size of the plasma output is relatively large (35 mm in diameter). Ar gas at a flow rate of 2.2 slm and 85 W microwave power are used. Plasma discharges are produced between the tip of each electrode and the inner surface of the cylinder. When an Escherichia coli culture is placed for 2 min at 20 mm below the torch, where the gas temperature is sufficiently cool, the bacteria are almost completely killed within a 40 mm diameter circle. The UV radiation is one of the major players responsible for killing bacteria, others being the reactive species and the charged particles.