Methods and apparatuses for emitting electrons from a hollow cathode are provided. The cathode includes a plasma holding region configured to hold a plasma, a gas supply source configured to supply gas to the plasma holding region, and an orifice plate disposed on a periphery of the plasma holding region. The orifice plate comprises a plurality of openings constructed to receive electrons from the plasma. The plurality of openings decouple gas conductance and electrical conductance across the orifice plate. The diameters of the plurality of openings are within a range of 20%-60%, inclusive, of a diameter of a circular opening with an area equal to a sum of the areas of the plurality of openings.

A stress-free transparent silicon oxide coated polymer substrates and a method for depositing a stress-free transparent silicon oxide based layer on polymer substrates using a PECVD device including at least one hollow cathode plasma source.

According to one embodiment, a plasma source includes a container being configured to store a gas, a cathode member, and an anode member. The cathode member is provided in the container. The cathode member includes a plurality of first cathode layers. Each the cathode layers are arranged along a plurality of sides of a polygon. Each of the first cathode layers includes a first surface facing inside the polygon. The first surface is planar. The anode member is provided in the container.

In an aspect, a plasma focus apparatus produces pulsed high temperature plasma that emits multi-radiation including ion beams, electron beams, fast plasma streams, x-rays and nuclear fusion neutrons. This plasma focus apparatus includes an electrode assembly including an inner and at least one outer electrode, as well as a plurality of capacitors connected to the electrode assembly in parallel to form the high energy density, high current density plasma, where the arrangement and shape of the capacitors and other elements of the circuitry and electrode assembly provide a system with low stray inductance.

A plasma activated ophthalmic solution generating device operable to generate a therapeutic ophthalmic solution for curing epidemic keratoconjunctivitis includes a plasma generating electrode operable to generate a plasma activated ophthalmic solution for epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, wherein the plasma generating electrode is arranged surrounding an insert space where a unit dose ophthalmic eyedrop container with a container body, which seals a certain solution in a sterile state, is inserted; a power supply unit; and a high voltage generating unit, which is connected to the power supply unit, operable to be supplied with power source from the power supply unit and to apply high voltage electric current to the plasma generating electrode. This configuration makes it possible to provide a novel and effective therapeutic ophthalmic solution for epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC).

Described herein are systems and methods for ensuring plasma homogeneity in a discharge cell. The discharge cell may include a first hollow electrode and a second hollow electrode spaced away from the first electrode to define a discharge gap therebetween. A fluid inlet port may in fluid communication with an internal bore of the first electrode. A fluid outlet port may be in fluid communication with the discharge gap. A first pair of viewports may define a first optic pathway through the discharge gap. A second pair of viewports may define a second optic pathway through the discharge gap. A third pair of viewports may define a third optic pathway through the discharge gap, the third optic pathway defined through the hollow interior of the first and second electrodes.

Solutions having a solvent and a cold atmospheric plasma dissolved in the solvent are described. Methods and systems of forming cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)-containing solutions are also described. A system for producing (CAP)-containing solutions includes a gas source; a plasma generating device having a hollow body fluidically coupled with the gas source, a closed proximal end and an open distal end, the hollow body receiving gas from the gas source, and at least one electrode in or about the hollow body and ionizing the gas to discharge a cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) from the open distal end; and a container for housing a fluid, the open distal end of the plasma generating device in fluid communication with an inner portion of the container. CAP-containing solutions can be used in treatment of cancer cells, infected tissue sterilization, microorganism inactivation, promotion of wound healing, skin regeneration, and blood coagulation, and teeth bleaching/whitening.

A discharge device includes a discharge electrode, a counter electrode that faces the discharge electrode in a first direction, and voltage application unit that applies an application voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. The counter electrode includes a dome-shaped electrode having a recessed inner surface recessed to a side opposite to the discharge electrode in the first direction, and a protruding electrode that protrudes in a second direction intersecting the first direction from an opening edge of an opening of the dome-shaped electrode, the opening being provided at an end opposite to the discharge electrode. The discharge device forms a discharge path having at least partial dielectric breakdown between the discharge electrode and the protruding electrode, when the discharge occurs. The discharge path includes a first dielectric breakdown region generated around the discharge electrode and a second dielectric breakdown region generated around the protruding electrode.

Methods and apparatuses for emitting electrons from a hollow cathode are provided. The cathode includes a plasma holding region configured to hold a plasma, a gas supply source configured to supply gas to the plasma holding region, and an orifice plate disposed on a periphery of the plasma holding region. The orifice plate comprises a plurality of openings constructed to receive electrons from the plasma. The plurality of openings decouple gas conductance and electrical conductance across the orifice plate. The diameters of the plurality of openings are within a range of 20%-60%, inclusive, of a diameter of a circular opening with an area equal to a sum of the areas of the plurality of openings.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for ionizing a surface. In one implementation, an ionization source may include a microhollow cathode plasma or micro cavity plasma (MCP)-based ion source having a cavity and generating a plasma. A gas stream may pass through the cavity and transport the plasma. The source may further include one or more conductive electrodes located downstream from the MCP and configured to have a potential relative to the MCP such that positive and negative ions included in the plasma are carried through the electrodes by the gas stream. In another implementation, a mixer may mix a dopant (e.g. water) with the gas stream (e.g. air) entering the discharge. The disclosure also relates to a surface ionization probe.