Nikos Spiliopoulos
Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras P.O. Box 1407,26500 Patras, Greece
Dimitris Mataras
Plasma Technology Laboratory -Dept. of Chem. Engineering-University of Patras, P.O.Box 1407, 26500 Patra, Greece
Dimitrious E. Rapakoulias
Plasma Technology Lab, Dept. Chem. Engineering, University of Patras, P.O.Box 1407, 26500 Patra, Greece
The voltage and current waveforms are measured at the rf powered electrode lead feedthrough of a parallel-plate capacitively coupled rf discharge chamber. A proper cell's stray impedance characterization technique is used in order to convert the measured values to equivalent ones at the surface of the powered electrode. This has led to the accurate determination of the power that is actually consumed in the glow discharge process. The dc self
bias potential of the powered electrode is used for the bulk plasma amplitude potential determination and combined with the voltage and current measurements has given the
impedances of two distinct regions in the glow discharge. An equivalent electrical circuit model is used and the electrical characteristics of each of the two regions are discussed. Final, the equivalent electrical circuit model is used to relate the electrical data to the width of the powered electrode sheath.