Optical Emission Spectroscopic Evaluation of Different Microwave Plasma Discharges and Its Potential Application for Sterilization Processes

The present work aims at studying different microwave flowing discharges containing Ar and/or NO as alternative candidates to more extended N2 containing plasma mixtures like N2-O2. Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) is used to demonstrate the potential possibilities of these plasma mixtures to provide O* and UV intermediate species demanded for sterilization purposes at low temperatures and extended discharge gaps. Additionally, some plasma sterilization experiments with Escherichia coli cultures are presented.