Introduction / mission

We study the elementary processes in gas discharges through a mix of theory, modeling and the development of diagnostics.

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As much as we enjoy exploring new fields of application, our research has always been based on one underlying interest: the elementary processes in and the physics of plasmas

Organisational profile

In the EPG group, we use our thorough understanding of elementary processes to develop predictive models of a large range of plasmas. These models take into account the intensity and effectivity of processes such as ionization, recombination, transport, radiation, excitation, de-excitation, chemical reactions and surface processes.

We integrate state-of-the art plasma diagnostics (imaging, passive and active spectroscopy) and advanced plasma models that enable plasma users to optimize the plasma source for their specific application. Over the years, the group has worked on a wide range of applications: plasma etching, lighting, medical applications and so much more.

The group currently focuses on a number of research and application areas.

• Corona discharges and lightning – streamer-like electric discharges from the initial stage of electric breakdown in long gaps. Our aim is to increase understanding and optimize the various technological applications.
• Dusty and complex plasma. Under certain conditions, dust particles can form spontaneously in plasmas. Their presence is often negative, but there are also some interesting positive applications.
• EUV-induced plasma, the type of plasma induced when highly energetic photons ionize a low-pressure gas. Understanding this type of plasma is of major importance to the lithography industry.
• Plasma-assisted combustion. Under extreme conditions, such as in airplanes, combustion happens too slowly. Our aim is to speed it up by using plasma.
• Plasmas for biological, environmental and medical applications. Cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (CAPs) have many applications, such as killing bacteria, wound healing and cancer treatment.