From: mirko_vukovic@notes.mrc.sony.com
Newsgroups: sci.physics.plasma
Subject: Re: Turning Gas into a plasma--2 questions?
Organization: Deja News - The Leader in Internet Discussion
References: <7a5apb$e53$1@jupiter.cs.uml.edu>


In article <7a5apb$e53$1@jupiter.cs.uml.edu>,
cde@ecomcon.freeserve.co.uk (Travelling Man) wrote:
>
> Could you turn Ammonia or Nitrogen into a plasma?
>
> If it was at 14.7 psi could you turn it into a plasma ie how many
> watt/amps would you need?
>
>
ok, let me try a hand at this.

In principle, you can turn anything into a plasma by dumping enough power into
it. In case of solid surfaces, a powerfull laser blast will do.

In case of a gas, there is a whole variety of ways. In general it has to do
with creating an electric field in the gas, strong enough for gas break-down,
and plasma sustainment. I believe the field strength is some kV's/cm.
Frequencies range from DC up to a GHz or so these days.

My understanding is that DC discharge at atmospheric pressures are hard to
achieve, as the whole plasma contracts into an arc. At RF frequencies
I think you can strike a plasma at atmospheric pressures.

Hope this helps.

Mirko

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