Inductively coupled plasma
An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) or transformer coupled plasma (TCP) is a type of plasma source in which the energy is supplied by electric currents which are produced by electromagnetic induction, that is, by time-varying magnetic fields.
Fig. 1. Picture of an analytical ICP torch
Fig. 3. Conventional Plasma Inductors
Plasma is one of four fundamental states of matter characterized by the presence of a significant portion of charged particles in any combination of ions or electrons. It is the most abundant form of ordinary matter in the universe, mostly in stars, but also dominating the rarefied intracluster medium and intergalactic medium.
Plasma can be artificially generated, for example, by heating a neutral gas or subjecting it to a strong electromagnetic field.
Lightning as an example of plasma present at Earth's surface: Typically, lightning discharges 30 kiloamperes at up to 100 megavolts, and emits radio waves, light, X- and even gamma rays. Plasma temperatures can approach 30000 K and electron densities may exceed 1024 m−3.
Artificial plasma produced in air by a Jacob's Ladder
Hall-effect thruster
Plasma spraying