Potential formation on floating metal plate treated by low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma jet

In the biomedical applications using low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasmas, charging on surface of the targets could play an important role. In this study, we have investigated potential formed on an electrically floating copper plate treated by a low-temperature atmospheric pressure helium plasma jet. The potential of the copper plate was measured by an electrostatic sensor in a non-contact manner. It was found that the potential on the copper plate could be controlled from 200 to −600 V by changing the distance between the nozzle of plasma device and the surface of copper plate. We discussed the charging mechanism such as collection of charged particles and several processes of electron emission including thermionic, field emission, secondary electron emission, and photoelectric processes.