Low-temperature Plasma Experimental Power Supply (CTP-2000K)
Product Detail
The CTP-2000K is ACS Material's flagship low-temperature plasma power supply — a medium-frequency (≈10 kHz), 0–30 kV high-voltage AC source for generating stable cold (non-thermal) plasma by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), glow, and arc discharge in air, oxygen, nitrogen, and inert gases. Widely used as a laboratory standard for surface modification, nanomaterial synthesis, sterilization, and plasma chemistry, it pairs with a wide range of DBD reactors and gas, gas–liquid, and gas–solid plasma cells.
Key features
- Drives arc, dielectric barrier (DBD), and glow discharge tests in air, oxygen, nitrogen, and other inert gases.
- Operates under varying pressure, from atmospheric to reduced-pressure conditions.
- Generates long-term, stable streamer or glow discharge in a wide range of DBD devices.
- Built-in interfaces for input-power measurement and high-voltage output voltage/current detection.
- Suitable for gas, gas–liquid, and gas–solid reactors, supporting diverse plasma-chemistry setups.
See how a DBD cold plasma ignites
The CTP-2000K's job is to raise the gas gap past its breakdown voltage so a dielectric barrier discharge lights up — without letting it collapse into a hot arc. The interactive model below shows what happens inside a DBD cell as the drive voltage rises: below breakdown the gap stays dark, and above it the gas breaks into many short-lived micro-discharge filaments that the dielectric self-limits to keep the plasma cold.
Set the discharge gap, raise the voltage to ignite, then turn the frequency knob until the current peaks at Fo — the brightest, most stable point. Switch the working gas to see its real glow color.
Tip: ignite first (raise the voltage past the IGNITE threshold), then sweep the frequency — the current peaks exactly at Fo, where the glow is strongest. Ignition voltage rises with gap and gas: helium and argon ignite easily; nitrogen and air need far more voltage. Fo (≈10 kHz) is fixed by the reactor + power-supply resonance, so it does not move when you change gas — the gas changes the color, the ignition voltage, and whether the plasma is a diffuse glow (He, Ar) or filaments (N2, air). Recommended frequency operating window: from Fo up to Fmax — Fo is the center frequency identified under the customer's actual experimental conditions (the peak of the I–f curve, where the discharge current reaches its maximum, Imax), and Fmax is the highest frequency to which this power supply can be tuned. This interactive model is a schematic teaching tool, not a quantitative simulator.
Applications
Cold plasma from the CTP-2000K activates surfaces and drives gas-phase chemistry at near-ambient temperature, which makes it useful across materials science, surface engineering, and life-science labs:
- Surface modification of organic and inorganic materials — improving the compatibility of different polymer surfaces, enhancing the wettability of biological surfaces, and coating or cladding nanomaterials.
- Preparation of organic or inorganic nanoparticles via plasma-assisted routes.
- Cleaning and sterilization of surfaces and components.
Compare the CTP-2000K family
The base CTP-2000K covers most atmospheric-pressure DBD, glow, and arc experiments. The variants below trade frequency, waveform, output configuration, or power for specialized needs — pulse modulation, microsecond pulse, dual differential output, low-frequency high voltage, or higher power.
| Specification | CTP-2000K Base model |
CTP-2000K/P Modulated pulse |
CTP-2000K/A High power |
CTP-2000K/S Differential output |
CTP-2000KM Microsecond pulse |
CTP-2000KL HV low-frequency digital · New |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Output voltage, Vpp (kV)1 | 0–30 | 0–30 | 0–20 | 0–60 | 0–20 | 0–30 |
| Output power (W) | 0–500 | 0–500 | Standard 0–500; Premium 0–1000 | 0–500 | 0–500 | 0–500 |
| Frequency type | Medium-frequency | Medium-frequency | Medium-frequency | Medium-frequency | Medium-frequency | Low-frequency |
| Center frequency (Fo)2 | ≈10 kHz (cust. 1–100) | ≈10 kHz (cust. 1–100) | ≈10 kHz (cust. 1–100) | ≈10 kHz (cust. 1–100) | ≈10 kHz (cust. 1–100) | ≈50 Hz |
| Frequency adjustment range3 | 0.5 Fo–2 Fo | 0.5 Fo–2 Fo | 0.5 Fo–2 Fo | 0.5 Fo–2 Fo | 0.5 Fo–2 Fo | 50–200 Hz |
| DBD discharge gap4 | ≤ 8 mm | ≤ 12 mm | ≤ 8 mm | ≤ 30 mm | ≤ 4 mm | ≤ 8 mm |
| Output waveform | Sine wave | Modulated pulse | Sine wave | Sine wave | Microsecond pulse | Sine wave |
| Rise time (µs) | — | — | — | — | ≈4 | — |
| Pulse width (µs) | — | — | — | — | ≈10 | — |
| Output configuration5 | Single HV output (one to HV, one to ground) | Single HV output | Single HV output (customizable) | Dual HV outputs, equal amplitude, 180° out of phase | Single HV output (customizable) | Single HV output |
| Input power requirement6 | Single-phase 220 V AC ±10% (110 V via step-up transformer) | |||||
| Dimensions W×D×H (mm) | 250×250×360 | 250×250×360 | 250×500×370 | 250×250×380 | 250×250×360 | 400×400×780 |
| Weight (kg) | 8 | 9 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 58 |
| Included components | Main Machine + Voltage Regulator | Main Machine + Voltage Regulator + Digital Pulse Modulator | Main Machine with integrated Voltage Regulator + R16 Control Port (customizable to TTL or other interfaces) | Main Machine + Voltage Regulator | Main Machine + Voltage Regulator | Main Machine with integrated Voltage Regulator + digital control system |
- Output voltage, center frequency, and other specifications can be customized on request.
- The ≈10 kHz center frequency is calibrated using the ACS 50 mm DBD reactor (SKU #EPDBD050); customization may incur additional charges.
- Estimated frequency adjustment range by center frequency: 1–40 kHz = 0.5 Fo–2 Fo; 40–70 kHz = 0.5 Fo–1.3 Fo; above 75 kHz = 0.5 Fo–1.2 Fo.
- DBD-50 reactor compatibility: the CTP-2000K, CTP-2000K/P, CTP-2000KM, and CTP-2000KL are compatible with the standard DBD reactor; the CTP-2000K/S requires a customized DBD reactor.
- Custom configurations are available on request to meet specific experimental requirements.
- For 110 V AC sources, a step-up transformer is recommended to convert 110 V to 220 V; if powering both the main unit and voltage regulator through the same transformer, use one rated at 2000 W or higher.
What's included
Each CTP-2000K ships as a two-part set:
- Main unit (2000K) — the high-voltage plasma power supply.
- Voltage regulator — rated input 220 V, 1 kVA, 50/60 Hz; output range 0–250 V; rated output current 4 A; single phase; 6.5 kg; insulation class F.
The matching dielectric barrier discharge cell used to calibrate and operate the CTP-2000K. Compatible with the CTP-2000K, CTP-2000K/P, CTP-2000KM, and CTP-2000KL. ACS Material also offers coaxial DBD reactors and additional DBD reactor cells for different geometries.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CTP-2000K a continuous-discharge power supply?
Yes. It delivers continuous output for long-term, stable streamer or glow discharge.
Which discharge types and gases does it support?
Arc, dielectric barrier (DBD), and glow discharge in air, oxygen, nitrogen, and other inert gases, including operation under varying pressure.
What is included in the package?
The main unit (2000K) and a voltage regulator. See the specifications above for the regulator's ratings.
What power input does it need?
Single-phase 220 V, ±10%. For 110 V supply regions, use a step-up transformer; when powering the main unit and voltage regulator together, a 2000 W transformer is recommended.
Which DBD reactor should I use?
The 50 mm DBD reactor (DBD-50, SKU#EPDBD050) is used for the ~10 kHz calibration and works with the CTP-2000K, CTP-2000K/P, CTP-2000KM, and CTP-2000KL. The CTP-2000K/S requires a customized DBD reactor.
Can the frequency or power be customized?
The center frequency is customizable from 1–100 kHz. The adjustable range depends on the band: 0.5–2× Fo up to 40 kHz, 0.5–1.3× Fo from 40–70 kHz, and 0.5–1.2× Fo above 75 kHz.
How do I measure the output voltage and current?
The supply displays input current and voltage, from which you can calculate input power. To measure the high-voltage output voltage and current, use an oscilloscope with a suitable high-voltage probe.
Is there an operating-temperature limit?
If the reactor is made of quartz, keep it below about 200 °C — quartz can fail by thermal breakdown above that. The power supply itself is unaffected.
How does it differ from the other CTP-2000K models?
See the comparison table above: the CTP-2000K/P adds modulated-pulse output; the CTP-2000K/A offers higher power (up to 1000 W); the CTP-2000K/S provides dual differential (180° out-of-phase) output; the CTP-2000KM delivers microsecond modulated pulses (~4 µs rise, ~10 µs width); and the CTP-2000KL is a low-frequency (~50 Hz) digital model.
What warranty applies?
Every model includes a one-year warranty with free remote maintenance support (excluding shipping). All plasma power supply models are sold as nonrefundable items.
Related products & resources
- Learn the fundamentals: What Is Plasma? Cold Plasma, DBD Reactors, Applications & Power Supplies — our complete guide to cold-plasma generation and choosing a supply.
- Browse the full line: Plasma Power Supply series, including CTP power supplies, DBD reactors, parametric supplies, plasma-jet generators, and plasma-torch systems.
- Pair it with a reactor: DBD experiment device (DBD-50) and coaxial DBD reactor.
- Other power supplies: CTP-2000K/P modulated pulse, CTP-2000K/A high power, CTP-2000KM microsecond pulse, CTP-2000K/S differential output, and CTP-2000KL low-frequency digital.
Return policy: all plasma power supply models are sold as nonrefundable items. Each model includes a one-year warranty with free remote maintenance support (shipping costs excluded); after the first year, remote maintenance is available at an additional charge based on the equipment's needs. Disclaimer: ACS Material LLC believes the information on this page is accurate and current but makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding suitability for any purpose or the accuracy of the information, and will not be responsible for damages resulting from its use.