A polyphase low frequency RF power supply for a one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP)

Summary form only given. A flexible, reliable, and robust RF power supply capable of delivering the frequency and voltage required to energize the One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma OAUGDP is needed, but off-the-shelf availability of such a RF power supply is quite limited. A RF power supply designed to generate the OAUGDP is composed of a frequency generator, amplifiers, and a transformer. If the power supply is built from several smaller subunits (amplifier and transformer) that combine to supply the RF electrical power rather than just one larger unit, a component failure only implies a partial loss in power, rather than a complete shutdown. By properly choosing the components of the RF power supply, the additional capability to generate a polyphase voltage output and electric field gradients across an array of electrodes is also gained. Our previous OAUGDP aerodynamic research explored only the aerodynamic effects created by the generation of the OAUGD plasma. However another method of OAUGDP plasma formation-polyphase peristaltic acceleration-uses the electric field gradient generated by this RF power supply.