Embodiments disclosed herein include an applicator for microwave plasma generation. In an embodiment, the applicator comprises a resonator body with a hole into an axial center of the resonator body, where the resonator body comprises a first dielectric material. In an embodiment, the applicator further comprises a pin inserted into the hole, where the pin is an electrically conductive material. In an embodiment, the applicator further comprises a plate under the resonator body, where the plate comprises a second dielectric material that is different than the first dielectric material.