Characterisation of a microwave induced plasma torch for glass surface modification

Abstract

Microwave induced plasma torches find wide applications in material and chemical analysis. Investigation of a coaxial electrode microwave induced plasma (CE–MIP) torch is conducted in this study, making it available for glass surface modification and polishing. A dedicated nozzle is designed to inject secondary gases into the main plasma jet. This study details the adaptation of a characterisation process for CE–MIP technology. Microwave spectrum analysis is used to create a polar plot of the microwave energy being emitted from the coaxial electrode, where the microwave energy couples with the gas to generate the plasma jet. Optical emission spectroscopy analysis is also employed to create spatial maps of the photonic intensity distribution within the plasma jet when different additional gases are injected into it. The CE–MIP torch is experimentally tested for surface energy modification on glass where it creates a super-hydrophilic surface.

Keywords

microwave induced plasma / spectrum analysis / surface modification

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Acknowledgements

This research work was funded by the Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Ultra Precision of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK (Grant No. EP/I033491/1), the Centre for Doctoral Training in Ultra Precision Engineering of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK (Grant No. EP/K503241/1), the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) (Grant No. 15/RP/B3208), Irish Research Council (Grant No. CLNE/2018/1530), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51705462). The authors would also like to thank ADTEC Plasma Technology & ADTEC Europe for providing financial and technical support, and bespoke plasma equipment. Finally, our appreciation is given to Cranfield University for the use of their facilities and to their following staff who supported different aspects of this work: Dr. Renaud Jourdain, Prof. Jose Endrino, Prof. Chris Sansom, Prof. John Nicholls, and Prof. Paul Shore.

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