Patent ID: 7892611
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: H05H

Abstract:
1. A method of utilizing a plasma discharge generating assembly ( 1 ) comprising at least one pair of substantially equidistant spaced apart electrodes ( 2 ), the spacing between the electrodes being adapted to form a plasma zone ( 8 ) upon the introduction of a process gas and upon effecting a plasma between the electrodes and enabling passage, where required, of gaseous, liquid and/or solid precursor(s) wherein at least one of the electrodes ( 2 ) comprises a housing ( 20 ) having an inner wall ( 5 ) and an outer ( 6 ) wall, wherein the inner wall ( 5 ) is formed from a non-porous dielectric material, and which housing ( 20 ) substantially retains an at least substantially non-metallic electrically conductive material selected from the group of liquid and/or conductive polymer paste, the housing ( 20 ) having an inlet ( 3 ) to enable introduction and, optionally, removal of the non-metallic electrically conductive material, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a process gas into the spacing between the electrodes ( effecting the plasma between the electrodes ( varying a functional size of each electrode (