Breakdown voltages in atmospheric pressure helium microplasmas with added O2, N2 and Ar

Summary form only given. Microplasmas are currently in use, and being developed for a number of uses including plasma televisions [1] and medical applications [2]. The ability for these plasmas to remain relatively ‘cold’ whilst maintaining a rich chemical environment makes them particularly attractive for temperature - sensitive treatments. Along with the plasma-induced chemistry, to fully unlock the potential of microplasmas the RF electrical breakdown of 10´s of micron wide gaps in flowing gas mixtures needs to be understood. This is critical in developing microplasmas that are tailor-made for specific applications.