Patent ID: 8904749

Claim:
An inductively coupled plasma device comprising: a cylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical vessel is transparent or semi-transparent to a wave energy; a tangential inlet connected to or proximate to the first end; a tangential outlet connected to or proximate to the second end; an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel; a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that the center line of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel; an electromagnetic radiation source that produces a wave energy and is disposed around or within the cylindrical vessel; and wherein (a) the tangential inlet and the tangential outlet create a vortex within the cylindrical vessel, (b) the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle create a plasma that discharges through the hollow electrode nozzle, and (c) the wave energy from the electromagnetic radiation source couples to the first electrode, the hollow electrode nozzle, the plasma or a combination thereof.