Non-equilibrium plasma

Non-equilibrium plasma is a state of energized, ionized gases where the electrons are at a much higher temperature than the ions and neutral particles. This means the plasma is not in thermal equilibrium; different parts of it have different energy levels. Such plasmas can be generated using electric fields or lasers and are used in various applications like sterilization, pollution control, and material processing. Because the electrons are highly energetic but the overall gas remains relatively cool, non-equilibrium plasma allows for powerful chemical reactions without excessively heating the entire system.