Plasmas generated in bubbles immersed in liquids: direct current streamers versus microwave plasma

Two approaches to generate non-equilibrium atmospheric-pressure plasma in bubbles immersed in liquids are compared using high-fidelity 2D fluid simulations. In the first approach, corona/streamer like plasma is generated using high-voltage negative and positive pulses applied between two electrodes (pin-to-plane geometry) immersed in liquid. In the second, the plasma is generated using a remote microwave source (frequency 2.45 GHz). We find that the microwave approach requires less energy, while generating a denser, more chemically reactive and more uniform plasma within the bubble volume, as compared to the plasma generated using high-voltage pulsing.