In an embodiment, the at least one conductive rod 140 is positioned within the torch chamber 120 for inducing the formation of at least one augmented field zone within the electric field component of the electromagnetic field. In this embodiment, a field strength of the electric field in the at least one augmented field zone is greater than a breakdown field strength of the at least one plasma-forming gas. And each streams of the plurality of plasma streamers 180 contains “highly energetic electrons (>10 eV).

As described previously, the plurality of plasma streamers 180 will further ionize the at least one plasma-forming gas for generating the flow of plasma within the torch chamber 120.

In some embodiments, this further ionization of the at least one plasma-forming gas via the plurality of plasma streamers 180 not only ignites the plasma, but also works as a source of high energy electrons that increase the ionization degree of the flow of plasma. By increasing the ionization degree of the plasma, the resistivity of the plasma is decreased, thereby reducing the reflected power and the loss of the electrons from the flow of plasma.

In an embodiment, the at least one conductive rod 140 is mounted in the torch housing 110 such that a long axis of the at least one conductive rod 140 is aligned to be substantially parallel to the electric field component of the electromagnetic field within the torch chamber 120.