Simulation of the spatio-temporal evolution of the electron energy distribution function in a pulsed hollow-cathode discharge

This article presents the 2D simulation results of a nanosecond pulsed hollow cathode discharge obtained through a combination of fluid and kinetic models.The spatio-temporal evolution of the electron energy distribution function(EEDF)of the plasma column and electrical characteristics of the nanosecond pulsed hollow cathode discharge at a gas pressure of 5 Torr are studied.The results show that the discharge development starts with the formation of an ionization front at the anode surface.The ionization front splits into two parts in the cathode cavity while propagating along its lateral surfaces.The ionization front formation leads to an increase in the fast isotropic EEDF component at its front,as well as in the anisotropic EEDF component.The accelerated electrons enter the cathode cavity,which significantly contributes to the formation of the highenergy EEDF component and EEDF anisotropy.

On the evolution and formation of discharge morphology in pulsed dielectric barrier discharge

The discharge morphology of pulsed dielectric barrier discharge(PDBD) plays important roles in its applications. Here, we systematically investigated the effects of the voltage amplitude,discharge gap, and O_(2)content on the PDBD morphology, and revealed the possible underlying mechanism of the U-shaped formation. First, the morphological evolution under different conditions was recorded. A unique U-shaped region appears in the middle edge region when the gap is larger than 2 mm, while the entire discharge region remains columnar under a 2 mm gap in He PDBD. The width of the discharge and the U-shaped region increase with the increase in voltage, and decrease with the increase of the gap and O_(2)content. To explain this phenomenon,a two-dimensional symmetric model was developed to simulate the spatiotemporal evolution of different species and calculate the electric thrust. The discharge morphology evolution directly corresponds to the excited-state atomic reduction process. The electric thrust on the charged particles mainly determines the reaction region and strongly influences the U-shaped formation.When the gap is less than 2 mm, the electric thrust is homogeneous throughout the entire region,resulting in a columnar shape. However, when the gap is larger than 2 mm or O_(2)is added, the electric thrust in the edge region becomes greater than that in the middle, leading to the U-shaped formation. Furthermore, in He PDBD, the charged particles generating electric thrust are mainly electrons and helium ions, while in He/O_(2)PDBD those that generate electric thrust at the outer edge of the electrode surface are mainly various oxygen-containing ions.

Statistical Description of Debris Particle Size Distribution in Electrical Discharge Machining

Gap debris as discharge product is closely related to machining process in electrical discharge machining（EDM）. A lot of recent researches have focused on the relationship among debris size, surfaces texture, remove rate, and machining stability. The study on statistical distribution of debris size contributes to the research, but it is still superficial currently. In order to obtain the distribution law of the debris particle size, laser particle size analyzer（LPSA） combined with scanning electron microscope（SEM） is used to analyze the EDM debris size. Firstly, the heating dried method is applied to obtain the debris particles. Secondly, the measuring range of LPSA is determined as 0.5–100 μm by SEM observation, and the frequency distribution histogram and the cumulative frequency distribution scattergram of debris size are obtained by using LPSA. Thirdly, according to the distribution characteristic of the frequency distribution histogram, the statistical distribution functions of lognormal, exponentially modified Gaussian（EMG）, Gamma and Weibull are chosen to achieve curve fitting of the histogram. At last, the distribute law of the debris size is obtained by fitting results. Experiments with different discharge parameters are carried out on an EDM machine designed by the authors themselves, and the machining conditions are tool electrode of red-copper material, workpiece of ANSI 1045 material and working fluid of de-ionized water. The experimental results indicate that the debris sizes of all experiment sample truly obey the Weibull distribution. The obtained distribution law is significantly important for all the models established based on the debris particle size.

Spatial distribution of electron characteristic in argon rf glow discharges

The spatial distributions of the electron density and the mean electron energy of argon radio frequency （rf） glow discharge plasma in a plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition （PECVD） system have been investigated using an established movable Langmuir probe. The results indicate that in the axial direction the electron density tends to peak at midway between the two electrodes while the axial variation trend of mean electron energy is different from that of the electron density, the mean electron energy is high near the electrodes. And the mean electron energy near the cathode is much higher than that near the anode. This article focuses on the radial distribution of electron density and mean electron energy. A proposed theoretical model distribution agrees well with the experimental one： the electron density and the mean electron energy both increase from the centre of the glow to the edge of electrodes. This is useful for better understanding the discharge mechanism and searching for a better deposition condition to improve thin film quality.

Influence of non-uniform electric field distribution on the atmospheric pressure air dielectric barrier discharge

The dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)in air at atmospheric pressure is not suitable for industrial applications due to its randomly distributed discharge filaments.In this paper,the influence of the electric field distribution on the uniformity of DBD is theoretically analyzed and experimentally verified.It is found that a certain degree of uneven electric field distributions can control the development of electron avalanches and regulate their transition to streamers in the gap.The discharge phenomena and electrical characteristics prove that an enhanced Townsend discharge can be formed in atmospheric-pressure air with a curved-plate electrode.The spectral analysis further confirms that the gas temperature of the plasma produced by the curved-plate electrode is close to room temperature,which is beneficial for industrial applications.This paper presents the relationship between the electron avalanche transition and the formation of a uniform DBD,which can provide some references for the development and applications of the DBD in the future.

Pressure Distribution Induced by Ionic Wind in Needle-to-water Corona Discharge

The negative DC corona discharge in air at atmospheric pressure was investigated in a needle-to-water system to obtain the pressure distribution of corona ionic wind.The deformation of water surface was measured and the distribution of wind pressure over the water surface was calculated.The effects of varying discharge parameters,such as applied voltage,gap spacing,tip radius of needle,and the shape of grounded electrode,on the wind pressure were studied.The measured wind pressure ranges from several Pa to several tens of Pa and up to 33 Pa over a small area;the pressure is comparatively large in the center and decreases quickly outwards.In the experiment system,a higher voltage on a 3 mm gap resulted in a stronger pressure of the ionic wind;around the onset voltage,using a needle with tip radius of 50μm obtained a larger wind pressure than using a needle with 100μm tip radius,but the latter one can produce larger pressure at higher voltages.Plus,the shape of the grounded electrode only influences the wind pressure a little.

The Effect of Flow Distribution on the Concentration of NO Produced by Pulsed Arc Discharge

As a new method to cure acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS）, high blood pressure and some illnesses related to the lung, NO has recently received more attention. Thermal plasmas produced by arc discharge can create medical NO, but the concentration of NO2 produced by arc discharge must be controlled simultaneously. This paper investigates the characteristics and regulations of NO production at different flow distribution by pulsed arc discharge in dry air with a special pulsed power, The experimental results show that the flow distribution has a considerable effect on the NO concentration, the stabilization of NO. The production of NO2 could be controlled and the ratio of NO2/NO was decreased to about 10% in the arc discharge. Therefore, the arc discharge could produce stable inhaled NO for medical treatment by changing the flow distribution.

Population Distribution of Excited States in Cs Electrodeless Discharge Lamp

We measure the intensity of fluorescence spectral lines of Cs atoms in an electrodeless discharge lamp from visible light to the near-infrared region of 400-100Ohm. To build an excited state Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter, the population ratios between the excited states are calculated by rate equations and the spontaneous transition probabilities. The electrodeless discharge lamp with populations in the excited states can be used to realize the frequency stabilization reference for lasers at multiwavelength and the excited state Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter for submarine communication applications in blue-green wavelengths to simplify the system.

Numerical simulation study of ionization characteristics of argon dielectric barrier discharge

In order to better analyze the characteristics of particle distribution and its influencing factors in the ionized space during the process of coaxial dielectric barrier discharge,a self-designed two-dimensional axisymmetric structure exciter was used to carry out optical diagnosis,with the electron temperature calculated through Gaussian fitting.A plasma model was applied to conduct research on the discharge process through numerical simulation,with the changes in electron density and electron temperature were analyzed by using different discharge parameters.The research results show that with an increase in discharge voltage,pressure inside the reactor and relative permittivity,the discharge process is promoted.In addition,a rise in current density leads to an increase in the number of charged particles on the surface of the medium during the discharge process,while a rise in discharge intensity causes an increase in the electron density.Electron temperature decreases due to the increased loss of collision energy between particles.These results were confirmed by comparing experimental data with simulation results.

Simulation analysis on microscopic discharge characteristics of the bipolar corona of a floating conductor

A floating conductor exhibits a bipolar corona phenomenon with microscopic discharge characteristics that are still unclear.In this study,a plasma simulation model of the bipolar corona with 108 chemical reaction equations is established by combining hydrodynamics and plasma chemical reactions.The evolution characteristics of electrons,positive ions,negative ions and neutral particles,as well as the distribution characteristics of space charges are analyzed,and the evolutionary flow of microscopic particles is summarized.The results indicate that the positive end of the bipolar corona initiates discharge before the negative end,but the plasma chemistry at the negative end is more vigorous.The electron generation rate can reach 1240 mol(m^(3) s)^(-1),and the dissipation rate can reach 34 mol(m^(3) s)^(-1).The positive ion swarm is dominated by O_(4)^(+),and the maximum generation rate can reach 440 mol((m^(3) s)^(-1).The negative ion swarm is mainly O_(2) and O_(4).The O_(2) content is approximately 1.5-3 times that of O_(4),and the maximum reaction rate can reach 51 mol(m^(3) s)^(-1).The final destination of neutral particles is an accumulation in the form of O_(3) and NO,and the amount of O3 produced is approximately 4-6 times that of NO.The positive end of the bipolar corona is dominated by positive space charges,which continue to develop and spread outwards in the form of a pulse wave.The negative end exhibits a space charge distribution structure of concentrated positive charges and diffused negative charges.The validity of the microscopic simulation analysis is verified by the macroscopic discharge phenomenon.

Numerical simulation and experimental validation of a direct current air corona discharge under atmospheric pressure

Air corona discharge is one of the critical problems associated with high-voltage equipment. Investigating the corona mechanism plays a key role in enhancing the electrical insulation performance. An improved self-consistent multi-component two-dimensional plasma hybrid model is presented for the simulation of a direct current atmospheric pressure corona discharge in air. The model is based on plasma hydrodynamic and chemical models, and includes 12 species and 26 reactions. In addition, the photoionization effect is introduced into the model. The simulation on a bar-plate electrode configuration with an inter-electrode gap of 5.0 mm is carried out. The discharge voltage- current characteristics and the current density distribution predicted by the hybrid model agree with the experimental measurements. In addition, the dynamics of volume charged species generation, discharge current waveform, current density distribution at an electrode, charge density, electron temperature, and electric field variations are investigated in detail based on the model. The results indicate that the model can contribute valuable insights into the physics of an air plasma discharge.

Quantitative Analysis Model and Application of the Hydrocarbon Distribution Threshold

Hydrocarbon source rock obviously controls the formation and distribution of hydrocarbon reservoirs. Based on the geological concept of ＂source control theory＂, the concept of a hydrocarbon distribution threshold was put forward. This means the maximum range for hydrocarbon controlled by the source rock conditions to migrate in the hydrocarbon basins. Three quantitative analysis models are proposed on this basis, namely the hydrocarbon accumulation probability, maximum hydrocarbon scale threshold and reserve distribution probability, which respectively refer to the probability of forming a hydrocarbon reservoir, the possible maximum scale of the hydrocarbon reservoir and the percentage of reserve distribution in a certain area within the hydrocarbon distribution threshold. Statistical analysis on 539 hydrocarbon reservoirs discovered in 28 hydrocarbon source kitchens from seven sedimentary basins and sags of eastern China shows the maximum reservoir scale possibly formed in the hydrocarbon basin, hydrocarbon accumulation probability and oil and gas reserve distribution probability are all controlled by the characteristics of the hydrocarbon source rock. Generally, as the distances from the hydrocarbon source rock center and hydrocarbon discharge boundary get longer and the hydrocarbon discharge intensity of hydrocarbon source rock center gets smaller, there will be lower probability of hydrocarbon accumulation. Corresponding quantitative models are established based on single factor statistics and multivariate analysis. Practical application in the Jiyang Depression shows that the prediction from the quantitative analysis model for the hydrocarbon distribution threshold agree well with the actual exploration results, indicating that the quantitative analysis model is likely to be a feasible tool.

Local electron mean energy profile of positive primary streamer discharge with pin-plate electrodes in oxygen nitrogen mixtures

Local electron mean energy （LEME） has a direct effect on the rates of collisional ionization of molecules and atoms by electrons. Electron-impact ionization plays an important role and is the main process for the production of charged particles in a primary streamer discharge. Detailed research on the LEME profile in a primary streamer discharge is extremely important for a comprehensive understanding of the local physical mechanism of a streamer. In this study, the LEME profile of the primary streamer discharge in oxygen-nitrogen mixtures with a pin-plate gap of 0.5 cm under an impulse voltage is investigated using a fluid model. The fluid model includes the electron mean energy density equation, as well as continuity equations for electrons and ions and Poisson＇s electric field equation. The study finds that, except in the initial stage of the primary streamer, the LEME in the primary streamer tip tends to increase as the oxygen-nitrogen mole ratio increases and the pressure decreases. When the primary streamer bridges the gap, the LEME in the primary streamer channel is smaller than the first ionization energies of oxygen and nitrogen. The LEME in the primary streamer channel then decreases as the oxygen-nitrogen mole ratio increases and the pressure increases. The LEME in the primary streamer tip is primarily dependent on the reduced electric field with mole ratios of oxygen-nitrogen given in the oxygen-nitrogen mixtures.

PIC simulation of plasma properties in the discharge channel of a pulsed plasma thruster with flared electrodes

Plasma in the discharge channel of a pulsed plasma thruster(PPT) with flared electrodes is simulated by a self-developed two-dimensional code. The fully particle-in-cell method with Monte Carlo collision is employed to model the particle movement and collisions and investigate the plasma properties and acceleration process. Temporal and spatial variations of the electron density distribution and the ion velocity between electrodes are calculated and analyzed in detail.The computational results of the electron number density, which is in the order of 1023 m-3,show good agreements with experimental results of a PPT named ADD SIMP-LEX. The ion velocity distributions along the center line of the channel lead to a comprehensive understanding of ions accelerated by electromagnetic field. The electron distributions of PPT with discharge voltages varying from 1300 to 2000 V are compared. The diffusion of electrons presents strong dependency on discharge voltage and implies higher degree of ionization for higher voltage.

Thermal and induced flow characteristics of radio frequency surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuation at atmospheric pressure

Thermal and induced flow velocity characteristics of radio frequency（RF） surface dielectric barrier discharge（SDBD）plasma actuation are experimentally investigated in this paper. The spatial and temporal distributions of the dielectric surface temperature are measured with the infrared thermography at atmospheric pressure. In the spanwise direction, the highest dielectric surface temperature is acquired at the center of the high voltage electrode, while it reduces gradually along the chordwise direction. The maximum temperature of the dielectric surface raises rapidly once discharge begins.After several seconds（typically 100 s）, the temperature reaches equilibrium among the actuator＇s surface, plasma, and surrounding air. The maximum dielectric surface temperature is higher than that powered by an AC power supply in dozens of k Hz. Influences of the duty cycle and the input frequency on the thermal characteristics are analyzed. When the duty cycle increases, the maximum dielectric surface temperature increases linearly. However, the maximum dielectric surface temperature increases nonlinearly when the input frequency varies from 0.47 MHz to 1.61 MHz. The induced flow velocity of the RF SDBD actuator is 0.25 m/s.

Electrical and thermal characterization of near-surface electrical discharge plasma actuation driven by radio frequency voltage at low pressure

The electrical and thermal characterization of near-surface electrical discharge plasma driven by radio frequency voltage are investigated experimentally in this paper. The influences of operating pressure, electrode distance, and duty cycle on the discharge are studied. When pressure reaches 60 Ton. （1 Torr= 1.33322 x 102 Pa） the transition from diffuse glow mode to constricted mode occurs. With the operating pressure varying from 10 Tort to 60 Torr, the discharge energy calculated from the charge-voltage （Q-V） Lissajous figure decreases rapidly, while it remains unchanged between 60 Torr and 460 Torr. Under certain experimental conditions, there exists an optimized electrode distance （8 mm）. As the duty cycle of applied voltage increases, the voltage-current waveforms and Q-V Lissajous figures show no distinct changes.

Simulation Studies of Rib Structure Effect on Discharge Characteristics of Plasma Display Panel

To investigate the effect of the rib structure on the discharge characteristics of the plasma display panel, the potential distribution, particles density distribution and ions incident angle distribution were examined by simulation of a two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision, with two kinds of rib structure： the stripe rib structure and the Waffle rib structure. The results showed that the distribution of electric potential at the corner of the discharge cell was almost the same for these two rib structures while in the centre there was a difference between these two rib structures. The striation phenomenon could be observed in both cases. The distribution of density also indicated that the striation phenomenon was accompanied by the firing of discharge, and the Waffle rib structure might reduce the density humps. In the cell with a stripe rib structure, the profiles of the surface charge density along the sustained dielectric layer presented a better fluctuating distribution than that in the cell with a Waffle rib structure. The spatial potential and particle density in the discharge bulk showed that the Waffle ribs could weaken the striation phenomenon, which could be explained by the decrease in the particle numbers in the discharge cell. The simulation results of the ion incident angle showed that most ions impacted the sustained dielectric layer in the normal stripe rib cell with an incident angle in the range of 6° to 19° while with the Waffle rib structure the incident angle of most ions was in the range of 4° to 19°. The Waffle rib structure did not affect the angle distribution of incident ions significantly.

Simulation of water temperature distribution in Fenhe Reservoir

In order to evaluate the need of controlling the temperature of water discharged from the Fenhe Reservoir, the reservoir water temperature distribution was examined. A three-dimensional mathematical model was used to simulate the in-plane and vertical distribution of water temperature. The parameters of the model were calibrated with field data of the temperature distribution in the Fenhe Reservoir. The simulated temperature of discharged water is consistent with the measured data. The difference in temperature between the discharged water and the natural river channel is less than 3 ℃ under the current operating conditions. This will not significantly impact the environment of downstream areas.

Exploration to generate atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma in air

Atmospheric pressure glow discharge（APGD） plasma in air has high application value. In this paper, the methods of generating APGD plasma in air are discussed, and the characteristics of dielectric barrier discharge（DBD） in non-uniform electric field are studied. It makes sure that APGD in air is formed by DBD in alternating current electric field with using the absorbing electron capacity of electret materials to provide initial electrons and to end the discharge progress. Through designing electric field to form two-dimensional space varying electric field and three-dimensional space varying electric field, the development of electron avalanches in airgap is suppressed effectively and a large space of APGD plasma in air is generated. Further,through combining electrode structures, a large area of APGD plasma in air is generated. On the other hand, by using the method of increasing the density of initial electrons, millimeter-gap glow discharge in atmospheric pressure air is formed, and a maximum gap distance between electrodes is 8 mm. By using the APGD plasma surface treatment device composed of contact electrodes, the surface modification of high polymer materials such as aramid fiber and polyester are studied and good effect of modifications is obtained. The present paper provides references for the researchers of industrial applications of plasma.