DC Corona Discharge Treatment of A549 Lung Cancer Cells*

A non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP) is created via DC corona discharge in air and argon.  An array of sharp tips with 10-20 kV applied leads to discharges of hundreds of microamps, with gas input rate adjusted by mass flow controller.  Target samples are placed below a grounded mesh for exposure to NEAPP and accompanying species, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS).  The production of RONS is measured by optical emission spectroscopy in the UV-Visible range, and the discharge is further characterized by high speed imaging.  Relative RONS production rate for various discharge conditions is studied, and correlated effects on A549 lung cancer cells are studied.  Also, the effect of a transverse magnetic field on the corona discharge is studied computationally and is explored for inclusion in the experimental apparatus.