Microplasma field effect transistors

We report, for the first time, a new class of microplasma FET (MOPFET) devices that operate at atmospheric pressure helium. MOPFET are similar to MOSFETs but instead of using electrons and holes in semiconducting active channels, they use ions and electrons in gaseous channels to control channel conduction. Their applications include processing devices for very high temperature and high ionizing radiation environment and they may find use in engine sensors and diagnostic circuits. The plasma for our devices is supplied by an RF probe operating at frequencies ranging from 400 MHz to 700 MHz. DC and RF microplasmas are widely used in displays, medical applications, optical spectroscopic analysis, nanomaterial synthesis, etc.