Electrical breakdown of microwave plasma in water

The electrical breakdown of microwave plasma in water was investigated between 1 and 30 kPa. The dependency of the ignition power for generating plasma on the size of coaxial electrode was measured. The ignition power decreases with a decrease of the diameter of the inner electrode. The behavior of microwave plasma in water was observed using a high-speed camera. The plasma ignites in a bubble generated by microwave heating. The model for calculating the electric field was created on the basis of the captured images of the bubble just before plasma ignition. The method presented can be used to visualize the electrical field distribution in the bubble. The electric field breakdown was calculated using the measured ignition power. The electric field breakdown of plasma in water is of the same order as gas phase plasma.

► The microwave power for generating plasma in water was measured.
► The behavior of plasma was observed using a high-speed camera.
► The plasma ignites in a bubble generated by microwave heating.
► The simulation model was created on the basis of the captured images of the bubble.
► The electric field breakdown was calculated using the measured ignition power.