Patent ID: 7214280
Filing Date: 2007-05-08
Classification: B01D,B01J,B82Y,C22B,F01N,H01J,H05B,H05H,Y02B,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of decrystallizing a surface of an object comprising: initiating a microwave plasma at substantially atmospheric conditions; by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst; exposing the surface to the plasma for a period of time sufficient to at least partially decrystallize the surface; wherein the exposing comprises directing electromagnetic radiation into a cavity, wherein the directing is selected from a group consisting of continuously directing, periodically directing, programmed directing, and any combination thereof; and controlling a temperature associated with the plasma according to a predetermined temperature profile by varying at least one of a gas flow through the cavity and an electromagnetic radiation density near the surface of the object.