Investigation of nonthermal plasma jet excitation mode and optical assessment of its electron concentration

The results of a study of a plasma jet of atmospheric-pressure helium driven by a capacitive discharge using sine and pulsed modes of excitation are presented. The homogeneous discharge of a multi-channel plasma jet at gas temperature of 34 °C and helium flow rate of 0.5 L/min was achieved with short pulse excitation. A digital holography method is proposed to estimate a basic plasma parameter, i.e., its electron concentration. An automated digital holographic interferometry set-up for the observation and study of a nonthermal plasma jet in a pulse mode is developed and described. The synchronization features of recording devices with the generation of plasma pulses are considered. The electron concentration of the plasma jet is also estimated. The disadvantages of the proposed technique and its further application are discussed.