A Highly-Efficient 2.45 GHz Plasma Jet Based on A Dielectric Microwave Anapole Structure

We introduced anapole technology to efficiently generate atmospheric pressure microwave plasma jets within a dielectric structure. Anapoles function in contrast to conventional antennas, completely trapping electromagnetic energy within the resonator structure. Consequently, the near fields experience a substantial enhancement, and the gas passage through the structure induces gas breakdown, giving rise to a plasma jet. The proposed anapole plasma jet at 2.45 GHz can operate with less than 2 W of input power and outperforms existing plasma jet technologies across key characteristics such as low reflection, scalability, compactness, power efficiency, and electron density, all while maintaining lower temperature operation. Furthermore, achieving frequency reconfigurability in anapole plasma jets is straightforward, thanks to the accessible nature of the near electric field. This feature stands in contrast to cavities, allowing for the exploration of frequency-dependent properties in these plasma jets.