The authors would like to thank the Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen &#8222;Otto von Guericke&#8220; e.V., AiF (German Federation of Industrial Research Associations) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG (German Research Foundation) for partly funding the presented work under contract number 14248 and STR 662/4-1, respectively.

1. Measurement of the Magnetron
Note: The schematic of the experimental setup for measuring the magnetron is depicted in Figure 1A.
<ol>
	<li>Connect the magnetron to an insulator consisting of a circulator and a water load with 10 screws.</li>
	<li>Connect the insulator to a directional coupler with 10 screws.</li>
	<li>Connect the directional coupler to a second water load with 10 screws.</li>
	<li>Supply all water loads with water.</li>
	<li>Calibrate the spectrum analyzer with its calibration function according to manufacturer&#8217;s protocol.</li>
	<li>Connect a 20 dB attenuator to the spectrum analyzer by plugging the 20 dB attenuator to the spectrum analyzer. 
	Note: The 20 dB attenuator is used to protect the spectrum analyzer from too high powers above 1 W.</li>
	<li>Connect the 20 dB attenuator equipped spectrum analyzer to the end of the coaxial cable equipped with a BNC connector by plugging the coaxial cable into the 20 dB attenuator.</li>
	<li>Connect the end of the coaxial cable equipped with an N connector to the directional coupler by plugging the coaxial cable to the directional cable.</li>
	<li>Switch on the magnetron via the power supply and the spectrum of the emitted microwave is displayed on the spectrum analyzer.</li>
	<li>If necessary, adjust the displayed abscissa, ordinate and their resolution according to the manual of the spectrum analyzer.</li>
	<li>To measure the frequency of the output microwave in dependence of the microwave power, increase the microwave power from 10% to the maximum of the output power in 5% to 10% steps and for every step determine the frequency of the maximal amplitude of the spectrum displayed by the spectrum analyzer. 
	Note: Usually, the frequency spectrum of a magnetron below 10% of its maximum output power is very broad, exhibits many different peaks and therefore is not usable.</li>
</ol>
2. Adjustment of the Resonance Frequency
Note: The schematic of the experimental setup for measuring and adjusting the resonance frequency is depicted in Figure 2A.
<ol>
	<li>Calibrate the network analyzer with the calibration kit for S11 operation (according to manufacturer&#8217;s protocol).</li>
	<li>Connect the coaxial cable via the N-connector to the coaxial part of a coaxial-to-rectangular-wave guide transition by plugging the coaxial cable to the coaxial-to-wave-guide-transition.</li>
	<li>Connect the rectangular part of the coaxial-to-rectangular-wave guide transition to a three stub tuner with 10 screws.</li>
	<li>Connect the three stub tuner to the microwave plasma torch assembly with 10 screws.</li>
	<li>In the network analyzer menu switch to S11 operation.</li>
	<li>In the network analyzer menu switch to VSWR mode or to log mode.</li>
	<li>Iteratively adjust the resonance frequency of the microwave plasma torch assembly to the measured frequency of the magnetron at an output power of 25%&#8211; 60% of the maximum output power by moving the nozzle up and down. The resonance frequency of the microwave plasma torch assembly is given by the dip of the S11 parameter measurement as depicted in Figure 2B. Adjust this dip by moving the nozzle up and down to the recommended frequency.</li>
	<li>When the resonance frequency is adjusted, lock the position of the nozzle with the locking nut.</li>
	<li>Increase the forward microwave power iteratively by adjusting the three stubs of the three stub tuner by moving the stubs up and down. The microwave power absorbed by the microwave plasma torch assembly is given by the depth of the dip of the S11 parameter. Thus, maximize this dip by adjusting the stubs of the three stub tuner. Commonly, it is sufficient that two of the three stubs are used.</li>
</ol>
3. Ignition of the Plasma
<ol>
	<li>Wear UV protection glasses since the plasma emits UV radiation. Operate the plasma torch under local gas ventilation since the plasma produces nitride oxides.</li>
	<li>Connect the microwave plasma torch assembly with the adjusted coaxial resonator (nozzle is locked) and the adjusted three stub tuner to the magnetron equipped with an insulator consisting of a circulator connected to a water load.</li>
	<li>Connect the gas supply to the microwave plasma torch.</li>
	<li>Turn on the gas supply to 5 to 20 slm.</li>
	<li>Since microwave radiation in higher doses is harmful especially for the eyes, check that there are no microwave leakages.
	<ol>
		<li>To do so, turn on the microwave at a very low power of 10% to 12% and check all microwave connections with a microwave meter for leakages.</li>
		<li>If there are any leakages remove them completely before increasing the microwave power or operating the microwave plasma torch.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>If there are no leakages turn on the microwave starting with low powers of 10% and increase the microwave power slowly within 10 to 60 sec until the plasma ignites in the quartz tube of the microwave plasma torch.</li>
	<li>Carefully observe if and where the plasma ignites but be careful with possibly radiated microwaves. Preferably use a mirror for the observation of the plasma ignition.</li>
	<li>If no plasma ignites, switch off the microwave power and carefully check if the microwave power is properly coupled into the coaxial resonator and not misguided to other components heating them up or even harming them. Check if some components are getting heated up.
	<ol>
		<li>If any component gets heated up &#8212; i.e., the microwave power is misguided &#8212; move all stubs of the three stub tuner out of the waveguide and adjust them to maximize the microwave coupling into the plasma torch assembly as described in step 2.9. Then start again with step 3.1.</li>
		<li>Adjust the resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator of the plasma torch to the sending frequency of the magnetron at a high enough microwave power output of 25% to 60% of the maximum output power with the network analyzer as described in step 2. To improve the ignition, adjust the resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator as described in step 2 to a higher output power. Then start again with step 3.1.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>If the plasma ignites somewhere in the plasma torch and does not automatically switch to the coaxial or cylindrical mode, vary the supplied microwave power and gas flow until it burns in the cylindrical mode.</li>
	<li>When the plasma burns in the cylindrical mode, iteratively adjust the stubs of the three stub tuner by moving them up and down so that all of the supplied microwave power is absorbed by the plasma and the reflected microwave power becomes zero. 
	Note: If a microwave diode is connected to the water load and to the corresponding input of the control unit, the reflected microwave power is displayed at the control unit of the microwave power supply. How to do this is described in the manual of the microwave power supply.</li>
	<li>When higher microwave powers of 1.5 kW or more and low gas flows of less than 15 slm are used, check carefully that the plasma does not touch the walls of the quartz tube. The quartz tube must not glow anywhere.</li>
	<li>If the quartz tube glows red, decrease the microwave power or increase the gas flow until it vanishes completely.</li>
	<li>Since microwaves can be radiated by the plasma due to the conductivity of the plasma, check with a microwave meter that the radiated microwave power is below the threshold.</li>
	<li>If the radiated microwave power is above the threshold, shield the plasma with a metallic mesh where the mesh size is much smaller than half of the used microwave wave length.</li>
</ol>
4. High-speed Camera Movie of the Plasma Ignition
Note: Since the ignition of the plasma and its transition to the cylindrical mode is in the range of some hundred milliseconds, this process can best be investigated by means of a high speed camera. However, it is not necessary to observe the ignition process by means of a high speed camera each time the plasma is ignited.
<ol>
	<li>Place the lens of the high speed camera in front of the microwave plasma torch looking through the diagnostic slit at the front of the plasma torch.</li>
	<li>Adjust until the camera is pointing into the coaxial resonator at the tip of the metallic nozzle.</li>
	<li>Focus the camera on the tip of the metallic nozzle.</li>
	<li>Start the recording with 1,000&#160;fps (frames per second) of the high speed camera.</li>
	<li>Ignite the plasma as described in section 3.</li>
</ol>
5. Stable and Continuous Plasma Operation
Note: When the plasma has been ignited in the cylindrical mode and the three stub tuner has been adjusted to maximize the absorption of the microwave power by the plasma a stable and continuous operation of the plasma torch is possible.
<ol>
	<li>Adjust the dimension &#8212; the radial and axial extension &#8212; of the plasma to the desired dimension by varying the supplied microwave power between 10% and the maximum output power and the gas flow between 10 and 70 slm. Keep the radial dimension limited to the diameter of the quartz tube. The plasma must not touch the wall of the quartz tube which means that the quartz tube must not glow.</li>
	<li>To shape the plasma to different shapes, use a short quartz tube which only confines the plasma inside of the cylindrical resonator and place one orifice on the top of the plasma torch assembly.</li>
	<li>If necessary, fasten the orifices with some screws.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

The presented movie explains how an ignition of an atmospheric pressure microwave plasma without any additional igniters can be realized, the basic principles of this microwave plasma torch, its adjustment, the ignition process of the plasma and its stable and continuous operation. As described in the introduction, there are already different kinds of microwave plasma torches but none of those provide an ignition of the plasma without any additional igniters as well as stable and continuous plasma operation.
<p class...

Atmospheric pressure microwave plasma torches offer a variety of different applications. On one hand they can be used for chemical volume processes and on the other hand their afterglow plasma can be applied for the treatment of surfaces. As surface treatment processes the treatment to increase the adhesion of glue, paint or lacquer or the decontamination or sterilization of surfaces can be named. The hot and reactive plasma itself can be used for volume processes like the decomposition of waste gases 1&#8211;7. These waste gases are harmful, contribute to the global warming and can hardly be degraded conventionally. However, they are needed in growing industrial sectors such as the semiconductor branch. Other applications are chemical synthesis like the dissociation of CO2 to CO and O2 or CH4 to carbon and hydrogen 8,9. Surplus electrical energy from renewable energy sources can be used to dissociate CO2 into CO and O2. The CO can be processed further to higher hydrocarbons which can be used as synthetic fuels for transportation, as platform chemicals for the chemical industry or as chemical storage.
There are some microwave plasma torches but most of them have disadvantages: They only have very small plasma volumes, need additional igniters, need cooling of the plasma reactor or can only be operated in pulsed mode 10&#8211;18. The microwave plasma torch presented in this movie offers an ignition of the plasma solely with the provided microwave power with no additional igniters as well as a stable and continuous operation without any cooling of the plasma reactor for a broad range of operation parameters and can be used for all of the above mentioned applications. The microwave plasma torch is based on a combination of two resonators: a coaxial one and a cylindrical one. The cylindrical resonator has a low quality and is operated in the well-known E010-mode with the highest electrical field in its center. The coaxial resonator is located below the cylindrical resonator and consists of a movable metallic nozzle in combination with a tangential gas supply. The high quality of the coaxial resonator exhibits a very narrow but deep resonance curve. Due to the high quality of the coaxial resonator a high electrical field can be reached which is required for the ignition of the plasma. However, the high quality of the coaxial resonator is associated with a very narrow resonance curve and therefore the resonance frequency has to perfectly match the frequency of the supplied microwave. Since the resonance frequency shifts after ignition of the plasma due to the permittivity of the plasma, the microwave can no longer penetrate into the coaxial resonator. For the continuous operation of the plasma the cylindrical resonator with a low quality and a broad resonance curve is needed.
An additional axial gas supply via the metallic nozzle of the coaxial resonator is possible. The plasma is ignited and confined in a microwave-transparent tube, for example a quartz tube. The permittivity of the quartz tube also affects the resonance frequency. Since the quartz has a permittivity of &#62; 1, the volume of the cylindrical resonator is virtually enlarged which leads to a lower resonance frequency. This phenomenon has to be considered when the dimensions of the cylindrical resonator are designed. A detailed discussion about how the resonance frequency is affected by the inserted quartz tube can be found in Reference 23. If a long and extended quartz tube is used, this can also act as the reaction chamber for the volume processes. However, for surface treatments the plasma can also be shaped differently by different kind of orifices. The microwave is supplied via a rectangular waveguide from the magnetron. To avoid noise nuisance the use of a low ripple magnetron is recommended. The magnetron which is used in the movie is a low ripple one.
For the ignition of the plasma the high quality coaxial resonator is used while a stable and continuous operation is provided by the cylindrical resonator. To achieve the ignition of the plasma by the high quality coaxial resonator the resonance frequency of this resonator has to perfectly match the frequency of the microwave provided by the used magnetron. Since all magnetrons do not emit their microwave frequency at exactly the nominal frequency and since the frequency is dependent on the output power, the magnetron has to be measured with a spectrum analyzer. The resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator can be adjusted by moving the metallic nozzle up and down. This resonance frequency can be measured and thereby also adjusted to the sending frequency of the used magnetron with a network analyzer. To reach the high electrical field at the tip of the nozzle, required for the ignition of the plasma, a three stub tuner is needed in addition. This three stub tuner is a commonly used microwave component. The three stub tuner is mounted between the microwave plasma torch and the magnetron. After the resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator is adjusted, the forward power is maximized and the reflected power minimized by iteratively adjusting the stubs of the three stub tuner.
After having adjusted the resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator as well as having maximized the forward powers by means of the three stub tuner, the plasma of the microwave plasma torch can be ignited when the microwave plasma torch is connected to a magnetron. For the ignition of the plasma a minimum microwave power of about 0.3 to 1 kW is sufficient. The plasma ignites in the coaxial resonator. After the ignition of the plasma the resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator is shifted due to the dielectric permittivity of the plasma and the microwave can no longer penetrate into the coaxial resonator. Thus, the plasma switches from the coaxial mode into its much more extended cylindrical mode burning freely-standing above the metallic nozzle in the center of the cylindrical resonator. Since the quality of the cylindrical mode is very low and therefore exhibits a broad resonance curve, the microwave can still penetrate into the cylindrical resonator despite of the shift of the resonance frequency due to the dielectric permittivity of the plasma. Thus, a continuous and stable operation of the plasma in the cylindrical mode is provided by the microwave plasma torch. However, to reach a complete absorption of the supplied microwave power, the stubs of the three stub tuner have to be readjusted. Otherwise the supplied microwave power is not completely absorbed by the plasma but some percentage of the provided microwave is reflected and absorbed by the water load.
To examine the ignition of the plasma in the coaxial mode and then its transition into the extended cylindrical mode, the plasma ignition is observed by a high speed camera.
The presented movie will show how the frequency dependence of the magnetron is measured, the resonance frequency of the coaxial resonator is adjusted, how the forward power is maximized and how the plasma is ignited by the supplied microwave power. The high speed camera recording is shown as well.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>2 kW magnetron</td>
			<td>Muegge&#160;</td>
			<td>MH2000S 211BA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2 kW power supply</td>
			<td>Muegge&#160;</td>
			<td>ML2000D-111TC</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>insulator - circulator with water load</td>
			<td>Muegge&#160;</td>
			<td>MW1003A-210EC</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>water load</td>
			<td>Muegge&#160;</td>
			<td>MW1002E-260EC</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>three stub tuner</td>
			<td>Muegge&#160;</td>
			<td>MW2009A-260ED</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>orifices</td>
			<td>homemade</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>microwave plasma torch</td>
			<td>homemade</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>spectrum analyzer</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>E4402B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>network analyzer</td>
			<td>Anritsu</td>
			<td>MS4662A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>calibration kit</td>
			<td>Anritsu</td>
			<td>model 3753</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>directional coupler</td>
			<td>homemade</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20 dB attenuator</td>
			<td>Weinschee engineering</td>
			<td>20 dB AA57u8</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>coaxial to rectangular wave guide transition</td>
			<td>Muegge&#160;</td>
			<td>MW5002A-260YD</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>adaptor 7-16 to N connector</td>
			<td>Teleg&#228;rtner</td>
			<td>7-16/N Adaptor</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>coaxial cable</td>
			<td>Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik</td>
			<td>LU7_070_800</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>high speed camera</td>
			<td>Photron</td>
			<td>fastcam SA5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>lens</td>
			<td>Revueflex</td>
			<td>makro revuenon 1:3.5/28mm</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>local gas ventilation</td>
			<td>Industrievertrieb Henning</td>
			<td>ACD220</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UV protection glasses</td>
			<td>uvex</td>
			<td>HC-F9178265</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>microwave leakage tester</td>
			<td>conrad electronic</td>
			<td>not available</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>microwave survey meter</td>
			<td>Holaday industries inc.</td>
			<td>81273</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

how to ignite an atmospheric pressure microwave plasma torch without any additional igniters

This movie shows how an atmospheric pressure plasma torch can be ignited by microwave power with no additional igniters. After ignition of the plasma, a stable and continuous operation of the plasma is possible and the plasma torch can be used for many different applications. On one hand, the hot (3,600 K gas temperature) plasma can be used for chemical processes and on the other hand the cold afterglow (temperatures down to almost RT) can be applied for surface processes. For example chemical syntheses are interesting volume processes. Here the microwave plasma torch can be used for the decomposition of waste gases which are harmful and contribute to the global warming but are needed as etching gases in growing industry sectors like the semiconductor branch. Another application is the dissociation of CO2. Surplus electrical energy from renewable energy sources can be used to dissociate CO2 to CO and O2. The CO can be further processed to gaseous or liquid higher hydrocarbons thereby providing chemical storage of the energy, synthetic fuels or platform chemicals for the chemical industry. Applications of the afterglow of the plasma torch are the treatment of surfaces to increase the adhesion of lacquer, glue or paint, and the sterilization or decontamination of different kind of surfaces. The movie will explain how to ignite the plasma solely by microwave power without any additional igniters, e.g., electric sparks. The microwave plasma torch is based on a combination of two resonators &#8212; a coaxial one which provides the ignition of the plasma and a cylindrical one which guarantees a continuous and stable operation of the plasma after ignition. The plasma can be operated in a long microwave transparent tube for volume processes or shaped by orifices for surface treatment purposes.

To provide a plasma ignition without any additional igniters as well as a stable and continuous plasma operation a high quality coaxial resonator with an adjustable resonance frequency was combined with a low quality cylindrical resonator to a microwave plasma torch. The schematic of this plasma torch is presented in Figure 3. The plasma is confined into a microwave-transparent tube, here a quartz tube. This tube can act as a reaction chamber for volume plasma processes or a plasma brush for surface trea...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about How to Ignite an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch without Any Additional Igniters at JoVE.com

How to Ignite an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch without Any Additional Igniters

This movie shows how an atmospheric plasma torch can be ignited by microwaves with no additional igniters and provides a stable and continuous plasma operation suitable for plenty of applications.

This movie shows how an atmospheric pressure plasma torch can be ignited by microwave power with no additional igniters. After ignition of the plasma, a ...

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JoVE Journal

Engineering

19.3K Views.  University of Stuttgart. This movie shows how an atmospheric plasma torch can be ignited by microwaves with no additional igniters and provides a stable and continuous plasma operation suitable for plenty of applications. 

Video: How to Ignite an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch without Any Additional Igniters

Microwave Photonics Systems Based on Whispering-gallery-mode Resonators

Microwave photonics systems rely fundamentally on the interaction between microwave and optical signals. These systems are extremely promising for various areas of technology and applied science, such as aerospace and communication engineering, sensing, metrology, nonlinear photonics, and quantum optics. In this article, we present the principal techniques used in our lab to build microwave photonics systems based on ultra-high Q whispering gallery mode resonators. First detailed in this article is the protocol for resonator polishing, which is based on a grind-and-polish technique close to the ones used to polish optical components such as lenses or telescope mirrors. Then, a white light interferometric profilometer measures surface roughness, which is a key parameter to characterize the quality of the polishing. In order to launch light in the resonator, a tapered silica fiber with diameter in the micrometer range is used. To reach such small diameters, we adopt the "flame-brushing" technique, using simultaneously computer-controlled motors to pull the fiber apart, and a blowtorch to heat the fiber area to be tapered. The resonator and the tapered fiber are later approached to one another to visualize the resonance signal of the whispering gallery modes using a wavelength-scanning laser. By increasing the optical power in the resonator, nonlinear phenomena are triggered until the formation of a Kerr optical frequency comb is observed with a spectrum made of equidistant spectral lines. These Kerr comb spectra have exceptional characteristics that are suitable for several applications in science and technology. We consider the application related to ultra-stable microwave frequency synthesis and demonstrate the generation of a Kerr comb with GHz intermodal frequency.

The customized techniques developed in our lab to build microwave photonics systems based on ultra-high Q whispering gallery mode resonators are presented. The protocols to obtain and characterize these resonators are detailed, and an explanation of some of their applications in microwave photonics is given.

Microwave photonics systems rely fundamentally on the interaction between microwave and optical signals. These systems are extremely promising for various ...

Synthesis and Microdiffraction at Extreme Pressures and Temperatures

High pressure compounds and polymorphs are investigated for a broad range of purposes such as determine structures and processes of deep planetary interiors, design materials with novel properties, understand the mechanical behavior of materials exposed to very high stresses as in explosions or impacts. Synthesis and structural analysis of materials at extreme conditions of pressure and temperature entails remarkable technical challenges. In the laser heated diamond anvil cell (LH-DAC), very high pressure is generated between the tips of two opposing diamond anvils forced against each other; focused infrared laser beams, shined through the diamonds, allow to reach very high temperatures on samples absorbing the laser radiation. When the LH-DAC is installed in a synchrotron beamline that provides extremely brilliant x-ray radiation, the structure of materials under extreme conditions can be probed in situ. LH-DAC samples, although very small, can show highly variable grain size, phase and chemical composition. In order to obtain the high resolution structural analysis and the most comprehensive characterization of a sample, we collect diffraction data in 2D grids and combine powder, single crystal and multigrain diffraction techniques. Representative results obtained in the synthesis of a new iron oxide, Fe4O5 1 will be shown.

The laser heated diamond anvil cell combined with synchrotron micro-diffraction techniques allows researchers to explore the nature and properties of new phases of matter at extreme pressure and temperature (PT) conditions. Heterogeneous samples can be characterized in situ under high pressure by 2D mapping and combined powder, single-crystal and multigrain diffraction approaches.

High pressure compounds and polymorphs are investigated for a broad range of purposes such as determine structures and processes of deep planetary ...

Picoinjection of Microfluidic Drops Without Metal Electrodes

Existing methods for picoinjecting reagents into microfluidic drops require metal electrodes integrated into the microfluidic chip. The integration of these electrodes adds cumbersome and error-prone steps to the device fabrication process. We have developed a technique that obviates the needs for metal electrodes during picoinjection. Instead, it uses the injection fluid itself as an electrode, since most biological reagents contain dissolved electrolytes and are conductive. By eliminating the electrodes, we reduce device fabrication time and complexity, and make the devices more robust. In addition, with our approach, the injection volume depends on the voltage applied to the picoinjection solution; this allows us to rapidly adjust the volume injected by modulating the applied voltage. We demonstrate that our technique is compatible with reagents incorporating common biological compounds, including buffers, enzymes, and nucleic acids.

We have developed a technique for picoinjecting microfluidic drops that does not require metal electrodes. As such, devices incorporating our technique are simpler to fabricate and to use.

Existing methods for picoinjecting reagents into microfluidic drops require metal electrodes integrated into the microfluidic chip. The integration of ...

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials

Recently, disordered photonic materials have been suggested as an alternative to periodic crystals for the formation of a complete photonic bandgap (PBG). In this article we will describe the methods for constructing and characterizing macroscopic disordered photonic structures using microwaves. The microwave regime offers the most convenient experimental sample size to build and test PBG media. Easily manipulated dielectric lattice components extend flexibility in building various 2D structures on top of pre-printed plastic templates. Once built, the structures could be quickly modified with point and line defects to make freeform waveguides and filters. Testing is done using a widely available Vector Network Analyzer and pairs of microwave horn antennas. Due to the scale invariance property of electromagnetic fields, the results we obtained in the microwave region can be directly applied to infrared and optical regions. Our approach is simple but delivers exciting new insight into the nature of light and disordered matter interaction.

Our representative results include the first experimental demonstration of the existence of a complete and isotropic PBG in a two-dimensional (2D) hyperuniform disordered dielectric structure. Additionally we demonstrate experimentally the ability of this novel photonic structure to guide electromagnetic waves (EM) through freeform waveguides of arbitrary shape.

Disordered structures offer new mechanisms for forming photonic bandgaps and unprecedented freedom in functional-defect designs. To circumvent the computational challenges of disordered systems, we construct modular macroscopic samples of the new class of PBG materials and use microwaves to characterize their scale-invariant photonic properties, in an easy and inexpensive manner.

Recently, disordered photonic materials have been suggested as an alternative to periodic crystals for the formation of a complete photonic bandgap (PBG). ...

How to Build a Vacuum Spring-transport Package for Spinning Rotor Gauges

The spinning rotor gauge (SRG) is a high-vacuum gauge often used as a secondary or transfer standard for vacuum pressures in the range of 1.0 x 10-4 Pa to 1.0 Pa. In this application, the SRGs are frequently transported to laboratories for calibration. Events can occur during transportation that change the rotor surface conditions, thus changing the calibration factor. To assure calibration stability, a spring-transport mechanism is often used to immobilize the rotor and keep it under vacuum during transport. It is also important to transport the spring-transport mechanism using packaging designed to minimize the risk of damage during shipping. In this manuscript, a detailed description is given on how to build a robust spring-transport mechanism and shipping container. Together these form a spring-transport package. The spring-transport package design was tested using drop-tests and the performance was found to be excellent. The present spring-transport mechanism design keeps the rotor immobilized when experiencing shocks of several hundred g (g = 9.8 m/sec2 and is the acceleration due to gravity), while the shipping container assures that the mechanism will not experience shocks greater than about 100 g during common shipping mishaps (as defined by industry standards).

Here we describe how to build a robust spring-transport mechanism for a spinning rotor gauge. This device securely immobilizes the rotor and keeps it under vacuum during transportation. We also describe packaging that minimizes the risk of damage during transport. Tests show our design works for typical shocks during transport.

The spinning rotor gauge (SRG) is a high-vacuum gauge often used as a secondary or transfer standard for vacuum pressures in the range of 1.0 x 10-4 Pa to ...

An Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Setup to Investigate the Reactive Species Formation

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure (&#39;cold&#39;) plasmas have received increased attention in recent years due to their significant biomedical potential. The reactions of cold plasma with the surrounding atmosphere yield a variety of reactive species, which can define its effectiveness. While efficient development of cold plasma therapy requires kinetic models, model benchmarking needs empirical data. Experimental studies of the source of reactive species detected in aqueous solutions exposed to plasma are still scarce. Biomedical plasma is often operated with He or Ar feed gas, and a specific interest lies in investigation of the reactive species generated by plasma with various gas admixtures (O2, N2, air, H2O vapor, etc.) Such investigations are very complex due to difficulties in controlling the ambient atmosphere in contact with the plasma effluent. In this work, we addressed common issues of &#39;high&#39; voltage kHz frequency driven plasma jet experimental studies. A reactor was developed allowing the exclusion of ambient atmosphere from the plasma-liquid system. The system thus comprised the feed gas with admixtures and the components of the liquid sample. This controlled atmosphere allowed the investigation of the source of the reactive oxygen species induced in aqueous solutions by He-water vapor plasma. The use of isotopically labelled water allowed distinguishing between the species originating in the gas phase and those formed in the liquid. The plasma equipment was contained inside a Faraday cage to eliminate possible influence of any external field. The setup is versatile and can aid in further understanding the cold plasma-liquid interactions chemistry.

An experimental setup was created for the helium-operated kHz frequency plasma jet. The setup includes a cage for the plasma power supply and jet and an in-house built reactor to monitor plasma-induced reactive species without the interference of the ambient atmosphere.

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure (&#39;cold&#39;) plasmas have received increased attention in recent years due to their significant biomedical potential. ...

New Application of an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet as a Neuro-protective Agent Against Glucose Deprivation-induced Injury of SH-SY5Y Cells

The atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) has attracted the attention of many researchers from multiple disciplines in recent years because its emissions include multiple types of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our previous study has shown the cytoprotective effect of the APPJ against oxidative stress-induced injuries. The aim of the present study is to provide a detailed in vitro treatment protocol regarding the neuroprotective applications of helium APPJs on glucose deprivation-induced injury in SH-SY5Y cells. The SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma-derived cell line was maintained in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 15% fetal calf serum. The culture medium was then changed to RPMI 1640 without glucose before APPJ treatment. After a 1 h incubation in a cell incubator, cell viability was determined using Cell Counting Kit 8. The results showed that, compared to the glucose deprivation group, cells treated with APPJ exhibited significantly increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with 8 s/well observed as an optimal dose. Meanwhile, helium flow had no effect on the glucose deprivation-induced cell impairment. Our results indicated that APPJ could be potentially used as a treatment method for the diseases in the central nervous system related to glucose deprivation. This protocol could also be used as a cytoprotective application for other cells with different impairments, but the cell culture and APPJ treatment conditions should be readjusted, and the treatment dose must be relatively low.

A protocol for the neuroprotective application of low-dose atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on glucose deprivation-induced SH-SY5Y injuries.

The atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) has attracted the attention of many researchers from multiple disciplines in recent years because its emissions ...

Atmospheric Pressure Fabrication of Large-Sized Single-Layer Rectangular SnSe Flakes

Tin selenide (SnSe) belongs to the family of layered metal chalcogenide materials with a buckled structure like phosphorene, and has shown potential for applications in two-dimensional nanoelectronics devices. Although many methods to synthesize SnSe nanocrystals have been developed, a simple way to fabricate large-sized single-layer SnSe flakes remains a great challenge. Herein, we show the experimental method to directly grow large-sized single-layer rectangular SnSe flakes on commonly used SiO2/Si insulating substrates using a straightforward two-step fabrication method in an atmospheric pressure quartz tube furnace system. The single-layer rectangular SnSe flakes with an average thickness of ~6.8 &#197; and lateral dimensions of about 30 &#181;m &#215; 50 &#181;m were fabricated by a combination of vapor transport deposition technique and nitrogen etching route. We characterized the morphology, microstructure, and electrical properties of the rectangular SnSe flakes and obtained excellent crystallinity and good electronic properties. This article about the two-step fabrication method can help researchers grow other similar two-dimensional, large-sized, single-layer materials using an atmospheric pressure system.

A protocol is presented demonstrating a two-step fabrication technique to grow large-sized single-layer rectangular shaped SnSe flakes on low-cost SiO2/Si dielectrics wafers in an atmospheric pressure quartz tube furnace system.

Tin selenide (SnSe) belongs to the family of layered metal chalcogenide materials with a buckled structure like phosphorene, and has shown potential for ...

Nerve Stem Cell Differentiation by a One-step Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment In Vitro

As the development of physical plasma technology, cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) have been widely investigated in decontamination, cancer treatment, wound healing, root canal treatment, etc., forming a new research field named plasma medicine. Being a mixture of electrical, chemical, and biological reactive species, CAPs have shown their abilities to enhance nerve stem cells differentiation both in vitro and in vivo and are becoming a promising way for neurological disease treatment in the future. The much more exciting news is that using CAPs may realize one-step, and safely directed, differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) for tissue transportation. We demonstrate here the detailed experimental protocol of using a self-made CAP jet device to enhance NSC differentiation in C17.2-NSCs and primary rat neural stem cells, as well as observing the cell fate by inverted and fluorescence microscopy. With the help of immunofluorescence staining technology, we found both the NSCs showed an accelerated differential rate than the untreated group, and ~75% of the NSCs selectively differentiated into neurons, which are mainly mature, cholinergic, and motor neurons.

Nerve Stem Cell Differentiation by a One-step Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment In Vitro

This protocol aims to provide detailed experimental steps of a cold atmospheric plasma treatment on neural stem cells and immunofluorescence detection for differentiation enhancement.

As the development of physical plasma technology, cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) have been widely investigated in decontamination, cancer treatment, ...

Carrier Lifetime Measurements in Semiconductors through the Microwave Photoconductivity Decay Method

This work presents a protocol employing the microwave photoconductivity decay (&#956;-PCD) for measurement of the carrier lifetime in semiconductor materials, especially SiC. In principle, excess carriers in the semiconductor generated via excitation recombine with time and, subsequently, return to the equilibrium state. The time constant of this recombination is known as the carrier lifetime, an important parameter in semiconductor materials and devices that requires a noncontact and nondestructive measurement ideally achieved by the &#956;-PCD. During irradiation of a sample, a part of the microwave is reflected by the semiconductor sample. Microwave reflectance depends on the sample conductivity, which is attributed to the carriers. Therefore, the time decay of excess carriers can be observed through detection of the reflected microwave intensity, whose decay curve can be analyzed for estimation of the carrier lifetime. Results confirm the suitability of the &#956;-PCD protocol in measuring the carrier lifetime in semiconductor materials and devices.

As one of the important physical parameters in semiconductors, carrier lifetime is measured herein via a protocol employing the microwave photoconductivity decay method.

This work presents a protocol employing the microwave photoconductivity decay (&#956;-PCD) for measurement of the carrier lifetime in semiconductor ...