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Influence of humidity on formation of pulsed atmospheric-pressure plasma streamers

Nenad Selaković, Jan Voráč, Nevena Puаč, Pavel Dvořák and 2 more

Plasma Sources Science and Technology | Jul 27, 2026

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we investigate the influence of humidity on pulsed atmospheric-pressure plasma streamers (PAPS) in a helium plasma jet using time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy, molecular beam mass spectrometry, and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). Our results reveal that PAPS, although appearing as a continuous plasma plume, actually consist of discrete, high-velocity ring-like structures that lose their shape as humidity decreases. A critical humidity threshold (~20 ppm H₂O) was identified, below which PAPS transition into a diffuse, irregular plume. Mass spectrometry measurements confirm that decreasing humidity alters the positive ion composition and reduces helium metastable production, impacting streamer propagation. LIF diagnostics provided spatially resolved measurements of OH radicals, revealing that their concentration strongly depends on humidity, with peak values occurring where the plasma interacts with ambient air. These findings highlight the crucial role of water vapor in plasma streamer formation and reactive species generation, offering insights for optimizing plasma-based applications in medicine, material processing, and environmental technologies.

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Authors

Researchers on this paper

Nenad Selaković

first | University of Belgrade | ORCID 0000-0002-9732-2393

Jan Voráč

middle | Masaryk University | ORCID 0000-0002-4913-4742

Nevena Puаč

middle | University of Belgrade | ORCID 0000-0003-1142-8494

Pavel Dvořák

middle | Masaryk University

Gordana Malovic

middle | Institut za filozofiju

Zoran Petrović

last | Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts | ORCID 0000-0001-6569-9447

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Citation

BibTeX

@article{Selakovi2026Influence,
  title = {Influence of humidity on formation of pulsed atmospheric-pressure plasma streamers},
  author = {Nenad Selaković and Jan Voráč and Nevena Puаč and Pavel Dvořák and Gordana Malovic and Zoran Petrović},
  journal = {Plasma Sources Science and Technology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1088/1361-6595/ae90e1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/ae90e1}
}

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