Hello,
I am trying to generate cold plasma using a multi layer piezo transformer. My understanding was that it was as simple as applying a 15 Vpp to the transformer, but it did not work. I was trying to mimic the effect of the piezobrush PZ2 from reylon plasma, and going from the image attached from reylon´s website I thought it would be simple.


How can I make this work? Any further reading that could be recommended? Does my transformer need to have copper inner electrodes?

The specific transformer I am using is a Multi Layer Piezo Transformer 55 KHz 3W, part number SMMTF53P3S45 from steminc dot com.

Thank you for reading.

 

Welcome to the forum!

My understanding was that it was as simple as applying a 15 Vpp to the transformer, but it did not work.

What waveform? What frequency?

 

Welcome to the forum!


What waveform? What frequency?

Thanks for the welcome!
Sine waveform, with a 55Khz frequency

 

According to that transformer's spec, " Working Resonant frequency: 53 KHz±3% ".
Have you tried driving the tranny at 53kHz?
Can your signal source provide ~3 Watts of drive?
Btw, 15Vpp is only 5.3VRMS.

 

According to that transformer's spec, " Working Resonant frequency: 53 KHz±3% ".
Have you tried driving the tranny at 53kHz?
Can your signal source provide ~3 Watts of drive?
Btw, 15Vpp is only 5.3VRMS.

I tried many frequencies, but got no result.
I will test using a signal with 3 watts and I will update.
I used 15Vpp because I believe the minimun voltage necessary to produce plasma is 12Vpp, but I am not sure.

 

My understanding was that it was as simple as applying a 15 Vpp to the transformer, but it did not work

Not simple 15 Vpp but with frequency exactly equal to resonant frequency of transformer.
And output max. voltage will not 10 - 15 kV but 1.8 kV only according to info from https://www.steminc.com/PZT/fr/piezo-transformer-55-khz-3w

Part Number: SMMTF53P3S45
Packaged multi layer Piezo electric transformer. Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT), Exempt application of RoHS.
Voltage Step Up Ratio: 45
Static Input Capacitance: 100nF ±15%
Natural Resonance frequency: 55 KHz±3%
Working Resonant frequency: 53 KHz±3%
Max. Input Rated Voltage: 18 Vrms
Max. Output Rated Voltage: 1800 Vrms
Max. Output Rated Power: 3W

Any voltage gradient larger than 19,000 volts per inch will ionize nitrogen in the air.
This is a plasma.
This is how lightning starts, and how spark coils make sparks.

ADDED:
Design of Plasma Generator Driven by High-frequency High-voltage Power Supply
https://www.elsevier.es/en-revista-journal-applied-research-technology-jart-81-pdf-S1665642313715323