Effects of assisted magnetic field to an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet on radical generation at the plasma-surface interface and bactericidal function

A configuration of magnetic-assisted-plasma (MAP) on helium-based atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) with an axial magnetic-field of 0.587 T is proposed, which provides good ability for killing bacteria Escherichia coli on the agar surface. Optically, we confirmed that the MAP increased approximately 2.4 times in the electron density estimated by the Stark broadening of H_β line emission, and approximately 1.5 times enhancement of atomic oxygen concentration measured by vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy (VUVAS). Moreover, the generation of hydroxyl radical in the water increased 1.5 times, confirmed by the spin-trapping electron spin-resonance technique. In addition, the bactericidal experiments demonstrated 2.4 times higher for E. coli by the MAP treatment. The MAP configuration is proposed to be highly useful for future bio-medical applications by enhancing the radical generation at the plasma/substrate interface region.