Abstract: 'Bohm diffusion' causes the electrons to diffuse perpendicularly to the magnetic field lines. However, its origin is not yet completely understood: low and high frequency electric field fluctuations are both named to cause Bohm diffusion. The importance of including this process in a Monte Carlo (MC) model is demonstrated by comparing calculated ionization rates with particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions (PIC/MCC) simulations. A good agreement is found with a Bohm diffusion parameter of 0.05, which corresponds well to experiments. Since the PIC/MCC method accounts for fast electric field fluctuations, we conclude that Bohm diffusion is caused by fast electric field phenomena.

Abstract: Electron emission properties of cathode surfaces affect considerably the electrical characteristics of glow discharges. Using a heavy-particle hybrid model ill 2 dimensions, we investigate the influence of the secondary electron emission coefficient gamma oil the calculated discharge characteristics for both 'clean' and 'dirty' cathode surface conditions, and assuming a constant gamma parameter as well. The effect of the gas heating and the role of the heavy particles reflected from the cathode on this process is also studied.

Abstract: Particles produced by previous laser shots may have significant influence on the analytical signal in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP) spectrometry if they remain close to the position of laser sampling. The effects of these particles on the laser-induced breakdown event are demonstrated in several ways. LIBS-experiments were conducted in an ablation cell at atmospheric conditions in argon or air applying a dual-pulse arrangement with orthogonal pre-pulse, i.e., plasma breakdown in a gas generated by a focussed laser beam parallel and close to the sample surface followed by a delayed crossing laser pulse in orthogonal direction which actually ablates material from the sample and produces the LIBS plasma. The optical emission of the LIBS plasma as well as the absorption of the pre-pulse laser was measured. In the presence of particles in the focus of the pre-pulse laser, the plasma breakdown is affected and more energy of the pre-pulse laser is absorbed than without particles. As a result, the analyte line emission from the LIBS plasma of the second laser is enhanced. It is assumed that the enhancement is not only due to an increase of mass ablated by the second laser but also to better atomization and excitation conditions favored by a reduced gas density in the pre-pulse plasma. Higher laser pulse frequencies increase the probability of particle-laser interaction and, therefore, reduce the shot-to-shot line intensity variation as compared to lower particle loadings in the cell. Additional experiments using an aerosol chamber were performed to further quantify the laser absorption by the plasma in dependence on time both with and without the presence of particles. The overall implication of laser-particle interactions for LIBS and LA-ICP-MS/OES are discussed.

Abstract: The compositional influence of Cr and Y on the microstructure of Mg―Cr―O, and Mg―Y―O films synthesized by reactive magnetron sputtering has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulations. A decrease in crystallinity is observed in these films as the M (Cr or Y) content is increased. It is found that M forms a solid solution with MgO for metal ratios up to ~ 70% and ~ 50% for Cr and Y respectively. Above ~ 70% Cr metal ratio the Mg―Cr―O films are found to be completely amorphous. The Mg―Y―O films are composed of Mg(Y)O and Y2O3 nano crystallites, up to ~ 50% Y metal ratio. Above this ratio, only Y2O3 nano crystallites are found. The preferential < 111> MgO grain alignment is strongly affected by the increase in M content. For M metal ratios up to ~ 50%, there is a selective promotion of the < 100> MgO grain alignments and a decline in the < 111> grain alignments.

Abstract: Based on the current knowledge, a plasma–liquid interface looks and behaves very differently from its counterpart at a solid surface. Local processes characteristic to most liquids include a stronger evaporation, surface deformations, droplet ejection, possibly distinct mechanisms behind secondary electron emission, the formation of an electric double layer, and an ion drift-mediated liquid resistivity. All of them can strongly influence the interfacial charge distribution. Accordingly, the plasma sheath at a liquid surface is most likely unique in its own way, both with respect to its structure and behavior. However, insights into these properties are still rather scarce or uncertain, and more studies are required to further disclose them. In this Perspective, we argue why more research on the plasma sheath is not only recommended but also crucial to an accurate understanding of the plasma–liquid interaction. First, we analyze how the sheath regulates various elementary processes at the plasma–liquid interface, in terms of the electrical coupling, the bidirectional mass transport, and the chemistry between plasma and liquid phase. Next, these three regulatory functions of the sheath are illustrated for concrete applications. Regarding the electrical coupling, a great deal of attention is paid to the penetration of fields into biological systems due to their relevance for plasma medicine, plasma agriculture, and food processing. Furthermore, we illuminate the role of the sheath in nuclear fusion, nanomaterial synthesis, and chemical applications. As such, we hope to motivate the plasma community for more fundamental research on plasma sheaths at liquid surfaces.

Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma, connected to a sampling cone of a mass spectrometer, is computationally investigated. The effects of the sampler orifice diameter (ranging from 1 to 2 mm) and distance of the sampler cone from the load coil (ranging from 7 to 17 mm) are studied. An increase in sampler orifice diameter leads to a higher central plasma temperature at the place of the sampler, as well as more efficient gas transfer through the sampler, by reducing the interaction of the plasma gas with the sampling cone. However, the flow velocity at the sampler position is found to be independent of the sampler orifice diameter. Moreover, by changing the sampler orifice diameter, we can control whether only the central gas or also the auxiliary gas can exit through the sampler. Finally, with the increasing distance of the sampler from the load coil, the plasma temperature at the place of the sampler decreases slightly, which might also have consequences for the ion generation and transport through the sampling cone.

Abstract: Many current anti-cancer therapies rely on increasing the intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) contents with the aim to induce irreparable damage, which subsequently results in tumor cell death. A novel tool in cancer therapy is the use of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), which has been found to be very effective in the treatment of many different cancer cell types in vitro as well as in vivo, mainly through the vast generation of RONS. One of the key determinants of the cell's fate will be the interaction of RONS, generated by CAP, with important proteins, i.e. redox-regulatory proteins. One such protein is cytoglobin (CYGB), a recently discovered globin proposed to be involved in the protection of the cell against oxidative stress. In this study, the effect of plasma-produced RONS on CYGB was investigated through the treatment of CYGB with CAP for different treatment times. Spectroscopic analysis of CYGB showed that although chemical modifications occur, its secondary structure remains intact. Mass spectrometry experiments identified these modifications as oxidations of mainly sulfur-containing and aromatic amino acids. With longer treatment time, the treatment was also found to induce nitration of the heme. Furthermore, the two surface-exposed cysteine residues of CYGB were oxidized upon treatment, leading to the formation of intermolecular disulfide bridges, and potentially also intramolecular disulfide bridges. In addition, molecular dynamics and docking simulations confirmed, and further show, that the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond, due to oxidative conditions, affects the CYGB 3D structure, thereby opening the access to the heme group, through gate functioning of His117. Altogether, the results obtained in this study (1) show that plasma-produced RONS can extensively oxidize proteins and (2) that the oxidation status of two redox-active cysteines lead to different conformations of CYGB.

Abstract: Melanoma remains a deadly cancer despite significant advances in immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapies. The incidence of melanoma is also growing worldwide, which highlights the need for novel treatment options and strategic combination of therapies. Here, we investigate non-thermal plasma (NTP), an ionized gas, as a promising, therapeutic option. In a melanoma mouse model, direct treatment of tumors with NTP results in reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival. Physical characterization of NTP treatment in situ reveals the deposited NTP energy and temperature associated with therapy response, and whole transcriptome analysis of the tumor identified several modulated pathways. NTP treatment also enhances the cancer-immunity cycle, as immune cells in both the tumor and tumor-draining lymph nodes appear more stimulated to perform their anti-cancer functions. Thus, our data suggest that local NTP therapy stimulates systemic, anti-cancer immunity. We discuss, in detail, how these fundamental insights will help direct the translation of NTP technology into the clinic and inform rational combination strategies to address the challenges in melanoma therapy.

Abstract: A fast (25 min) non-destructive determination of silicon in steel by 14-MeV neutron activation is described. The 1.78-MeV 28Al activity, induced by the reaction 28Si(n,p)28Al, is counted on a NaI(Tl) detector. An oxygen flux monitor is used to normalise to the same neutron flux. Two methods are described to correct for the 56Mn activity (2.58 h), induced into the iron matrix via 56Fe(n,p)56Mn. Nuclear interferences of phosphorus and aluminium have been examined. Special attention has been paid to stainless steels. A sensitivity of 0.02 to 0.05% of silicon is obtained. The precision is 2 to 3% for steels containing above 1% silicon, and 7% for 0.1% of silicon.

Abstract: The deposition of ultra-thin tungsten films and their related 2D chalcogen compounds on large area dielectric substrates by gas phase reactions is challenging. The lack of nucleation sites complicates the adsorption of W-related precursors and subsequent sulfurization usually requires high temperatures. We propose here a technique in which a thin solid amorphous silicon film is used as reductant for the gas phase precursor WF6 leading to the conversion to metallic W. The selectivity of the W conversion towards the underlying dielectric surfaces is demonstrated. The role of the Si surface preparation, the conversion temperature, and Si thickness on the formation process is investigated. Further, the in situ conversion of the metallic tungsten into thin stoichiometric WS2 is achieved by a cyclic approach based on WF6 and H2S pulses at the moderate temperature of 450 1C, which is much lower than usual oxide sulfurization processes.