A NOVEL ELECTRODE FOR USE WITH ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE PLASMA EMITTER APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME

A plasma emitter apparatus and method for using the same that includes a primary electrode and a secondary electrode. The secondary electrode is porous, that is, it is configured to permit the passage of plasma discharge therethrough. Accordingly, the plasma is received at one side of the seconda ry electrode and emitted from its opposing plasma exiting side. Numerous configurations of the secondary electrode are possible so long as the plasma discharge is permitted to pass therethrough. For instance, the secondary electrode may be a laminate of multiple insulating material layers with at least one conductive layer sandwiched therebetween. A plurality of apertures are defined through the laminate and a dielectric sleeve is inserted into an d retained in the aperture. The generated plasma passes through one or more holes defined in each of the dielectric sleeves. Alternatively, the secondar y electrode may be formed as a plurality of unidirectional high voltage wires strung substantially parallel across a frame or a plurality of bidirectional high voltage wires interwoven and secured by a perimeter frame. Since the plasma passes through the secondary electrode the plasma reactor device may be in a position proximate or in direct contact with the surface of the object to be treated.