Study on characteristics of acoustic signals generated by different DC discharge modes

Acoustic signals contain rich discharge information.In this study,the acoustic signal characteristics of transient glow,spark,and glow discharges generated through DC pin–pin discharge were investigated.The signals were analyzed in the time,frequency,and time–frequency domains,and the correlation between the electric and the acoustic signal was studied statistically.The results show that glow discharge does not produce measurable sound signals.For the other modes,with a decrease in the discharge gap,the amplitude of the acoustic signal increases sharply with mode transformation,the short-time average energy becomes higher,and the frequency components are more abundant.Meanwhile,the current pulse and sound pressure pulse have a one-to-one relationship in the transient glow and spark regimes,and they are positively correlated in amplitude.A brief theoretical analysis of the mechanism of plasma sound and the trends of signals in different modes is presented.Essentially,the change in the discharge energy is closely related to the sound generation of the plasma.

Time-frequency analysis of Li solid-phase diffusion in spherical active particles under typical discharge modes

Li transient concentration distribution in spherical active material particles can affect the maximum power density and the safe operating regime of the electric vehicles(EVs). On one hand, the quasiexact/exact solution obtained in the time/frequency domain is time-consuming and just as a reference value for approximate solutions;on the other hand, calculation errors and application range of approximate solutions not only rely on approximate algorithms but also on discharge modes. For the purpose to track the transient dynamics for Li solid-phase diffusion in spherical active particles with a tolerable error range and for a wide applicable range, it is necessary to choose optimal approximate algorithms in terms of discharge modes and the nature of active material particles. In this study, approximation methods,such as diffusion length method, polynomial profile approximation method, Padé approximation method,pseudo steady state method, eigenfunction-based Galerkin collocation method, and separation of variables method for solving Li solid-phase diffusion in spherical active particles are compared from calculation fundamentals to algorithm implementation. Furthermore, these approximate solutions are quantitatively compared to the quasi-exact/exact solution in the time/frequency domain under typical discharge modes, i.e., start-up, slow-down, and speed-up. The results obtained from the viewpoint of time-frequency analysis offer a theoretical foundation on how to track Li transient concentration profile in spherical active particles with a high precision and for a wide application range. In turn, optimal solutions of Li solid diffusion equations for spherical active particles can improve the reliability in predicting safe operating regime and estimating maximum power for automotive batteries.

Simulation of transition from Townsend mode to glow discharge mode in a helium dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure

The dielectric barrier discharge characteristics in helium at atmospheric pressure are simulated based on a one- dimensional fluid model. Under some discharge conditions, the results show that one discharge pulse per half voltage cycle usually appears when the amplitude of external voltage is low, while a glow-like discharge occurs at high voltage. For the one discharge pulse per half voltage cycle, the maximum of electron density appears near the anode at the beginning of the discharge, which corresponds to a Townsend discharge mode. The maxima of the electron density and the intensity of electric field appear in the vicinity of the cathode when the discharge current increases to some extent, which indicates the formation of a cathode-fall region. Therefore, the discharge has a transition from the Townsend mode to the glow discharge mode during one discharge pulse, which is consistent with previous experimental results.

Study of the Discharge Mode in Micro-Hollow Cathode

In this study, micro-hollow cathode discharge （MHCD） is investigated by a fluid model with drift-diffusion approximation. The MHC device is a cathode/dielectric/anode sandwich structure with one hole of a diameter D=200 um. The gas is a Ne/Xe mixture at a pressure p=50-500 Torr. The evolutions of the discharge show that there are two different discharge modes. At larger pD the discharge plasma and high density excited species expand along the cathode surface and, a ringed discharge mode is formed. At smaller pD, the discharge plasma and the excited species expand along the axis of the cathode aperture to form a columnar discharge.

Operation Mode on Pulse Modulation in Atmospheric Radio Frequency Glow Discharges

The discharge operation regime of pulse modulated atmospheric radio frequency （RF） glow discharge in helium is investigated on the duty cycle and frequency of modulation pulses. The characteristics of radio frequency discharge burst in terms of breakdown voltage, alpha（s）- gamma（γ） mode transition voltage and current are demonstrated by the discharge current voltage characteristics. The minimum breakdown voltage of RF discharge burst was obtained at the duty cycle of 20% and frequency of 400 kHz, respectively. The α-γ mode transition of RF discharge burst occurs at higher voltage and current by reducing the duty cycle and elevating the modulation frequency before the RF discharge burst evolving into the ignition phase, in which the RF discharge burst can operate stably in the γ mode. It proposes that the intensity and stability of RF discharge burst can be improved by manipulating the duty cycle and modulation frequency in pulse modulated atmospheric RF glow discharge.

Effect of a negative DC bias on a capacitively coupled Ar plasma operated at different radiofrequency voltages and gas pressures

The effect of a negative DC bias,|V_(dc)|,on the electrical parameters and discharge mode is investigated experimentally in a radiofrequency(RF)capacitively coupled Ar plasma operated at different RF voltage amplitudes and gas pressures.The electron density is measured using a hairpin probe and the spatio-temporal distribution of the electron-impact excitation rate is determined by phase-resolved optical emission spectroscopy.The electrical parameters are obtained based on the waveforms of the electrode voltage and plasma current measured by a voltage probe and a current probe.It was found that at a low|V_(dc)|,i.e.inα-mode,the electron density and RF current decline with increasing|V_(dc)|;meanwhile,the plasma impedance becomes more capacitive due to a widened sheath.Therefore,RF power deposition is suppressed.When|V_(dc)|exceeds a certain value,the plasma changes toα–γhybrid mode(or the discharge becomes dominated by theγ-mode),manifesting a drastically growing electron density and a moderately increasing RF current.Meanwhile,the plasma impedance becomes more resistive,so RF power deposition is enhanced with|V_(dc)|.We also found that the electrical parameters show similar dependence on|V_(dc)|at different RF voltages,andα–γmode transition occurs at a lower|V_(dc)|at a higher RF voltage.By increasing the pressure,plasma impedance becomes more resistive,so RF power deposition and electron density are enhanced.In particular,theα–γmode transition tends to occur at a lower|V_(dc)|with increase in pressure.

Analyses of nonequilibrium transport in atmospheric-pressure direct-current argon discharge under different modes

The key plasma parameters under different discharge modes, such as heavy-particle and electron temperatures, electron number density, and nonequilibrium volume of plasmas, play important roles in various applications of gas discharge plasmas. In this study, a self-consistent two-dimensional nonequilibrium fluid model coupled with an external circuit model is established to reveal the mechanisms related to the discharge modes, including the normal glow, abnormal glow,arc, and glow-to-arc transition modes, with an atmospheric-pressure direct-current(DC) argon discharge as a model plasma system. The modeling results show that, under different discharge modes, the most significant difference between the preceding four discharge modes lies in the current and energy transfer processes on the cathode side. On one hand, the current to the cathode surface is mainly delivered by the ions coming from the plasma column under the glow discharge mode due to the low temperature of the solid cathode, whereas the thermionic and secondary electrons emitted from the hot cathode surface play a very important role under the arc mode with a higher cathode surface temperature and higher ion flux toward the cathode. On the other hand, the energy transfer channel on the cathode side changes from mainly heating the solid cathode under the glow mode to simultaneously heating both the solid cathode and plasma column under the arc mode with an increase in the discharge current. Consequently, the power density in the cathode sheath(P_c) was used as a key parameter for judging different discharge modes, and the range of(0.28–1.2) × 10^(12) W m^(-3) was determined as a critical window of P_c corresponding to the glow-to-arc-mode transition for the atmospheric-pressure DC argon discharge, which was also verified by comparison with the experimental results in this study and the data in the previous literature.

Study on the Property Evolution of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets in Helium

Nowadays atmospheric pressure plasma jets （APPJs） are being widely applied to many fields and have received growing interests from cold plasma community. A helium APPJ with co-axial double ring electrode configuration is driven by an AC high voltage power with an adjustable frequency of 1-60 kHz. Experiments are conducted for acquiring the electrical and optical properties of APPJ, including the discharge mode, current peak＇s phase and APPJ＇s length, etc. Moreover, the actions of Penning effect on APPJ are discussed by adding impurity nitrogen into highly pure helium. The results may contribute to further research and aPPlications of APPJs.

Simulation Study on the Self-Sustained Oscillations in DC Driven Glow Discharges at Atmospheric Pressure Under Different Gas Gaps

In this paper, a one-dimensional plasma fluid model is employed to study the self- sustained oscillations in DC-driven helium glow discharges at atmospheric pressure under different gas gaps. Our simulation results indicate that a harmonic current oscillation with tiny amplitude always occur at the onset of instability and transits into a relaxation one as the conductivity of the semiconductor is decreased. It is found that the dynamics of the oscillations are dependent on the gas gaps. The discharge can only exhibit a simple oscillation with unique amplitude and frequency at smaller gas gaps （〈2 mm） while it can exhibit a more complex oscillation with several different amplitudes and frequencies at larger gas gaps （〉2 mm）. The discharge modes in these current oscillations have also been analyzed.

Experimental study on the particle flow patterns in a cyclone dipleg with a trickle valve

An experimental apparatus including a dipleg and a trickle valve was established to simulate the operation of a suspended dipleg-trickle valve system of cyclone used in fluid catalytic cracking(FCC)unit.The flow regimes in the dipleg and the discharge modes in the trickle valve were studied by combining the observation of experimental phenomena with the analysis of transient pressure fluctuation.The results show that the flow regimes in the dipleg have two types-the dilute–dense phase coexisting falling flow and the dilute falling flow.Correspondingly,the trickle valve also has two discharge modes-the intermittent periodic dumping discharge and the continuous trickling discharge.The power spectrum density of pressure fluctuation displays that the gas–solids flow in the dipleg-trickle valve system is characterized by a low-frequency pulsation.The coherence coefficient explains the origin and propagation of pressure fluctuation in the system.Eventually,a map describing the flow regimes and discharge modes related to the operation parameters was proposed,which can provide a helpful guidance for the operation of cyclone dipleg-trickle valve system in FCC unit.

Fundamental study towards a better understanding of low pressure radio-frequency plasmas for industrial applications

Two classic radio-frequency(RF) plasmas, i.e., the capacitively and the inductively coupled plasmas(CCP and ICP),are widely employed in material processing, e.g., etching and thin film deposition, etc. Since RF plasmas are usually operated in particular circumstances, e.g., low pressures(m Torr-Torr), high-frequency electric field(13.56 MHz-200 MHz),reactive feedstock gases, diverse reactor configurations, etc., a variety of physical phenomena, e.g., electron resonance heating, discharge mode transitions, striated structures, standing wave effects, etc., arise. These physical effects could significantly influence plasma-based material processing. Therefore, understanding the fundamental processes of RF plasma is not only of fundamental interest, but also of practical significance for the improvement of the performance of the plasma sources. In this article, we review the major progresses that have been achieved in the fundamental study on the RF plasmas,and the topics include 1) electron heating mechanism, 2) plasma operation mode, 3) pulse modulated plasma, and 4) electromagnetic effects. These topics cover the typical issues in RF plasma field, ranging from fundamental to application.

On abnormal behaviors of ion beam extracted from electron cyclotron resonance ion thruster driven by rod antenna in cross magnetic field

In a 2.45 GHz electron cyclotron resonance(ECR)ion thruster powered with rod antenna under a cross magnetic field,abnormal behaviours such as sudden drop of ion beam current(Ib)and larger increasing-rate of Ibin the high microwave power(Pw)discharges at high gas flow rates were observed.A differential method was proposed to reveal the changes in the radial profiles of gray values extracted from the end-view discharge images.The increasing-rate of Ibwith respect to Pwwas used to evaluate efficiencies of ion production and transport.Analyses indicate that discharges are dominantly sustained by ordinary wave via electron heating in the electron plasma resonance layer that can shift along the rod-antenna,and extraordinary wave can only ignite a discharge in the ECR layer in the low gas flow rate regime.In terms of the confinement region defined by the magnetic field lines intercepting with the screen grid,the confinement region of the optimized 2.45 GHz cross magnetic field takes the shape of hourglass,enabling the high increasing-rate of Ib with respect to Pw in high power discharges at high gas flow rates.Correlated with the accompanied bright boundary layer appearing in the differentiated image,the sudden drop of Ib in the low gas flow rate regime is attributed to the discharge ignited by the enhanced extraordinary wave in the ECR layer neighbouring the narrowest confinement region,where the produced ions can promptly enter the loss region.

Transition characteristics from radio-frequency discharge to arc in hollow cathode configuration

The technique of glow discharges in radio frequency configuration was applied to ignite hollow cathode vacuum arc discharge. The effect of discharge parameters on the building up of hollow cathode arc discharge was investigated. The emission spectrum during the vacuum arc ignition process was measured to disclose the discharge dynamics. There exists a threshold radio frequency power （300 W）, beyond which hollow cathode is in T mode discharge status while radio frequency discharge changes into the arc discharge. With the increase of the radio frequency power, the plasma temperature and electronic density increase, and the discharge mode transits more rapidly. The ignition time of hollow cathode vacuum arc discharge is less than 4 s with a radio frequency power of 700 W.

Simulation Study on Multi-Pulse Phenomena of Atmospheric Pressure Argon Dielectric Barrier Discharge

In this paper, a one-dimensional discharge model is employed to study multi-pulse phenomena in Ar dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） under atmospheric pressure. The finiteelement method is employed to solve the model. The influences of applied voltage amplitude and frequency as well as gas gap distance on the variation of multi discharge pulses are investigated and discussed. The simulation results show that, both the intensity of discharge current and the number of discharge pulses increase with the amplitude of applied voltage, and narrower gas gap is more favorable for the formation of multi pulses. It is revealed that Ar DBDs behave in glow discharge mode when the applied voltage and gas gap distance vary from 2 kV to 6 kV and from 1 mm to 3 mm, respectively. With the frequency decreasing from 250 Hz to 125 Hz, the intensity of discharge current weakens and the number of discharge pulses increases, and the discharges behave in the typical Townsend discharge mode.

Simulation of a helicon plasma source in a magnetoplasma rocket engine

The helicon plasma source,which generates high thrust and high impulse,is of vital importance for magnetoplasma rocket engines.In this work,a multi-component,two-dimensional,axisymmetric fluid model coupled with an electromagnetic field was developed to model the helicon discharge.The simulation results demonstrate that:(i)the discharge mode changes twice—each conversion is accompanied by a plasma density jump and an electron temperature peak in the discharge;(ii)when the input current increases,the plasma density increases,and ionization occurs faster;(iii)the background magnetic field clearly enhances the discharge;(iv)the plasma density may be smaller if the discharge has not entered the wave mode.

Analysis of Effects of the Arc Voltage on Arc Discharges in a Cathode Ion Source of Neutral Beam Injector

A hot cathode bucket ion source is used for the EAST（experimental advanced superconducting tokamak）neutral beam injector.The thermal electrons emitted from the surface of the cathode are extracted and accelerated by the electric field formed by the arc voltage,which is applied between the arc chamber of the ion source and the cathode.This paper analyzes the effects of arc voltage on the arc discharge in a hot cathode high current ion source.

Optical detection method of discharge mode transition of inductively coupled plasma in an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system

Plasma discharge stability is an important problem in atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system when maintaining long-term missions at ultra-low earth orbit.This paper designed an inductively coupled plasma source to imitate the ionization section.The effect of inflow rate and Radio Frequency(RF)power on the plasma discharge mode transition is experimentally studied.A discharge mode detection method is proposed,which determines the discharge mode by identifying the morphology of the plasma core.By using the method,the discharge mode transition is quantified and a control model based on the parameter sensitivity is constructed.To verify the method,the spectra are measured and the electron temperature spatial distribution is calculated.And the method has been proven effective.The results show that the inductively coupled discharge contains capacitive components affected by the mass flow rate and the radio frequency power.The plasma characteristics can be maintained stably by controlling the radio frequency power when the mass flow rate randomly changes in a certain range.It is demonstrated that the application of detection method effectively identifies the discharge mode,which is a promising active control method for the plasma discharge mode.

New progress of the miniaturized microwave ion source at Peking University

The generation of plasma in a microwave ion source involves confining electrons using a static magnetic field and energizing them with an electromagnetic field that transmitted into the plasma chamber.However,according to electromagnetics theory,there is always a cut-off size in circular wave guides for a given frequency.For a 2.45 GHz microwave,this dimension is 72 mm,which should theoretically prevent transmission of the microwave into the discharge chamber and no plasma can be generated.Since 2006 Peking University(PKU)has successfully developed a series of permanent magnet 2.45 GHz microwave ion sources(PKU PMECRs)with a discharge chamber less than 50 mm,capable of delivering tens of mA beams for accelerators.To explain this anomalous phenomenon,a hybrid discharge heating(HDH)mode that combines surface wave plasma and electron cyclotron heating has been proposed.This HDH mode not only successfully explains PKU PMECRs,but also predicts that the optimized inner diameter of the plasma chamber is 24 mm,which is confirmed by experiments involving different liners in the miniaturized microwave ion source.