In this paper, the characteristics of an atmospheric pressure helium plasma jet generated by a dual-power electrode (DPE) configuration are investigated by using a two-dimensional fluid model. The effect of a needle electrode on the discharge is studied by comparing the results of the DPE configuration with those of the single ring electrode configuration. It is found that the existence of the needle leads to the generation of a helium plasma jet with a higher propagation velocity, higher species density, and larger discharge width. Furthermore, the influences of the needle radius and needle-to-ring discharge gap on the generation of a plasma jet are also studied. The simulation results indicate that the needle electrode has an evident influence on the plasma jet characteristics.
Measurements of dust plasma parameters were carried out in the discharges of (SiH4/C2H4/Ar) mixtures. Dust particles were formed in the capacitively coupled radio-frequency discharge of these reactive mixtures in a cylindrical chamber. Langmuir probe was employed for diagnosing and measuring the important plasma parameters such as electron density and electron temperature. The results showed that the electron density dropped, and in contrast the electron temperature rose when the dust particles formed. The curves of the electron density and temperature versus the RF power and pressure were presented and analysed. Further, it was found that the wriations of electron temperature and the size of dust void with the RF power followed the similar trends. These trends might be useful for understanding more about the characteristics of dusty voids.