Topic: What is plasma? Plasma technology, fourth aggregate state of matter

Plasma technology: What is plasma?

The physical principle

Plasma is based on a simple physical principle. By supplying energy the states of matter change: from solid to liquid and from liquid to gas. If further energy is now added to a gas it becomes ionised and passes over into the plasma state – an additional state of matter. On contact with the surfaces of materials the added energy is transferred to these and in this way is available for subsequent reactions on the surfaces. In this way surfaces having ideal properties for accepting print, adhesive bonding or even foaming are produced.

Plasma – the fourth aggregate state of matter

solid	liquid	gaseous	plasma

Energy / Temperature

Molecule

Molecule (excited)

Ions

Free electron

Molecular fragment (high energy)