Patent ID: 7615933
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: A61L,H01J,H05H

Abstract:
1. A method of generating a fast-rise time voltage step to produce an overvoltage condition for a dielectric barrier plasma discharge comprising: providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap and having one or more dielectrics disposed in the electrode gap; generating said fast-rise time voltage step having a rise time that is short enough to achieve the overvoltage condition in time less than a lag time required to generate the plasma thereby establishing said overvoltage condition prior to current flow across said electrode gap; generating an output power from storage capacitor banks that discharge into the electrode gap through a switch with an internal impedance less than the impedance of the gap during conduction when said switch is closed; wherein the switch is capable of passing amperes of current when the switch is closed; wherein the switch is capable of standing-off voltage sufficient to create the overvoltage condition when the switch is open; generating a discharge current pulse across the electrode gap that is terminated by charging properties of the one or more dielectrics in the electrode gap.