Advanced Optical Diagnostics of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

Abstract

Atmospheric-pressure plasma has been employed in various applications including bio-medicine, environmental pollution control, material processing. Diagnostic characterization of plasma sources is critical and indispensable for plasma control and achieving optimized treatment efficiency. In this chapter we will introduce several advanced optical techniques to visualize the detailed physicaland-chemical properties of atmospheric-pressure discharges. Non-invasive approaches of optical emission spectroscopy (OES), schlieren or shadowgraph, invasive methods of active laser spectroscopy including laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), laser or broadband absorption, cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), and laser scattering are illustrated. Basic plasma parameters of gas temperature, electron density and temperature, electric field strength, and reactive chemical gaseous species (O, H, N, OH, NO, O 3 , etc.) are able to be monitored. Comparisons and comments of these approaches are provided depending on diagnostic purposes.