Experimental characterization and modeling of an atmospheric pressure radiofrequency plasma needle

Summary form only given. The use atmospheric plasma sources for applications in the health and biomedical sector is a promising new field of applied plasma research¹. The research focused mainly on the application and less is known concerning the plasma state. Indeed diagnostics of atmospheric pressure plasmas are very demanding because of the short temporal and the small spatial scales involved in the plasma state and in the different discharge regimes. We will presents results concerning the physical characteristics of the plasma produced in a needle source fed by a radiofrequency power in a gas mixture flowing in atmospheric air. In particular oxygen and nitrogen mixtures with helium will be analysed, since they are known for their sterilization capabilities. The source was developed for food safety and quality assessment applications.