POWER SYSTEM FOR STERILIZATION SYSTEMS EMPLOYING LOW FREQUENCY PLASMA

摘要

The present invention provides a sterilization system that includes a low frequency power feedback control system for controllably adjusting a power applied to a low frequency plasma within a vacuum chamber of the sterilization system t o remove gas or vapor species from the article. The power has a frequency of from 0 t o approximately 200 kHz. The low frequency power feedback control system includes a power monitor adapted to produce a first signal indicative of the power applied to the low frequency plasma within the vacuum chamber. The low frequency power feedback control system further includes a power control module adapted to produce a second signal in response to the first signal from the power monitor, and a power controller adapted to adjust, in response to the second signal, the power applied to th e low frequency plasma to maintain a substantially stable average power applied to the low frequency plasma while the article is being processed.