A laboratory-scale capacitively coupled radio frequency (RF) plasma pyrolysis reactor working in reduced pressure has been developed. Experiments have been performed to examine the characteristics of this RF plasma reactor and the products of biomass gasification. It was found that the electrode geometry, input power and reactor pressure were the key parameters affecting the plasma characteristics such as plasma length, temperature, and energy transfer efficiency. Biomass gasification using input power 1600-2000 W and reactor pressure 3000-8000 Pa produced a combustible gas consisted of H-2, CO, CH4, CO2 and light hydrocarbons as well as a pyrolytic char. On average, the gas yield can reach 66 wt% of the biomass feed. An energy balance analysis on the RF plasma pyrolysis system was also given. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.