Plasma Expansion From a Radio Frequency Microdischarge

Plasma expansion of a capacitively coupled radio frequency (13.56 MHz) argon microdischarge into a larger glass tube is studied by acquisition and analysis of high-resolution digital images. The microdischarge operating conditions are a flow of about 1.5 L/min, a pressure of 7 torr, and a power of 10 W. Interesting plume patterns can be generated, and an example of plasma striations within the plume is shown.