Why use high frequency power supply for generating plasma?

[dchost]

Why use high frequency power supply for generating plasma??

Hi everyone, I noticed that for the plasma ball common in science museum, power with high frequency should be used for generating so called plasma inside to give out colorful glow. But one thing I can't understand is why power supply with high frequency must be used??

 

[NobodySpecial]

You need very high voltages, easiest way to get high voltages is with transformers and transformers get smaller at high frequencies?

In high power applications there might also be chemical effects on the electrodes if they are always +ve or -ve.

 

[schip666!]

Aside from easier HV generation, I think the higher frequencies make for better standing waves in the smallish plasma globes that are common commercial toys. Here's a little teaser about one of the early developers of those things, which might lead to more info:
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/86/8643sci3.html
and a descriptive article I found while looking for that:
http://www.vincelewis.net/plasmaball.html