Realization of homogeneous dielectric barrier discharge in atmospheric pressure argon and the effect of beads on its characteristics

This paper describes the realization of a homogeneous dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)in argon at atmospheric pressure.The effect of the morphology of the dielectric surface(especially the dielectric surface covered by hollow ceramic beads(99%Al_(2)O_(3))with different diameters)on discharge is investigated.With different dielectrics,the argon DBD presents two discharge modes:a filamentary mode and a homogeneous mode.Fast photography shows that the filamentary mode operates in a streamer discharge,and the homogeneous mode operates in a Townsend discharge regime.It is found that a homogeneous discharge can be generated within a certain voltage range.The voltage amplitude range decreases,and the breakdown voltage increases with the increase in the mean diameter of the ceramic beads.Waveforms of the total current and optical emission signal present stochastic pulses per half voltage cycle for the filamentary mode,whereas there is one single hump per half voltage cycle for the homogeneous mode.In the homogeneous mode,the intensity of the optical emission decreases with the mean diameter of the ceramic beads.The optical emission spectrum is mainly composed of atomic lines of argon and the second positive system of molecular nitrogen.It reveals that the electron density decreases with the increasing mean diameter of the ceramic beads.The vibrational temperature increases with the increasing mean diameter of the ceramic beads.It is believed that a large number of microdischarges are formed,and smaller ceramic beads have a larger activation surface area and more point discharge.Electrons liberated in the shallow well and electrons generated from microdischarges can increase the secondary electron emission coefficient of the cathode and provide initial electrons for discharge continuously.Therefore,the breakdown electric field is reduced,which contributes to easier generation of homogeneous discharge.This is confirmed by the simulation results.

Numerical studies of atmospheric pressure glow discharge controlled by a dielectric barrier between two coaxial electrodes

The glow discharge in pure helium at atmospheric pressure, controlled by a dielectric barrier between coaxial electrodes, is investigated based on a one-dimensional self-consistent fluid model. By solving the continuity equations for electrons, ions, and excited atoms, with the current conservation equation and the electric field profile, the time evolution of the discharge current, gas voltage and the surface density of charged particles on the dielectric barrier are calculated. The simulation results show that the peak values of the discharge current, gas voltage and electric field in the first half period are asymmetric to the second half. When the current reaches its positive or negative maximum, the electric field profile, and the electron and ion densities represent similar properties to the typical glow discharge at low pressures. Obviously there exist a cathode fall, a negative glow region, and a positive column. Effects of the barrier position in between the two coaxial electrodes and the discharge gap width on discharge current characteristics are also analysed. The result indicates that, in the case when the dielectric covering the outer electrode only, the gas is punctured earlier during the former half period and later during the latter half period than other cases, also the current peak value is higher, and the difference of pulse width between the two half periods is more obvious. On reducing the gap width, the multiple current pulse discharge happens.

Influences of frequency on nitrogen fixation of dielectric barrier discharge in air

The influences of frequency on nitrogen fixation of dielectric barrier discharge in air were studied by electrical diagnostics, gas detection and infrared detection methods. The system power, nitrogen oxide concentration, voltage-current waveform, dielectric surface temperature distribution and filamentous discharge pictures were measured, and then the energy yield was calculated; paper studied their changing tendencies in the presence of frequency. Results show that frequency has strong influences on nitrogen fixation. When the parameters of reaction chamber and amplitude of applied voltage is fixed, with the increasing of frequency, the system power increases; in 5-10 kHz, nitrogen oxide gas concentration up to 1113.7 mg m-3, and 7 kHz is the optimal nitrogen fixation frequency whose energy yield is 20.5 mR （m3 W）-1.

Study on the Microsecond Pulse Homogeneous Dielectric Barrier Discharges in Atmospheric Air and Its Influencing Factors

The homogeneous dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） in atmospheric air between two symmetric-columnar copper electrodes with epoxy plates as the dielectric barriers is generated using a us pulse high voltage power supply. The discharge characteristics are studied by measurement of its electrical discharge parameters and observation of its light emission phenom- ena, and the main discharge parameters of the homogenous DBD, such as discharge current and average discharge power, are calculated. Results show that the discharge generated is a homogeneous one with one larger single current pulse of about 2 #s duration appearing in each voltage pulse, and its light emission is radially homogeneous and covers the entire surface of the two elec- trodes. The influences of applied voltage amplitude, air gap distance and barrier thickness on the transition of discharge modes are studied. With the increase of air gap distance, the discharge will transit from homogeneous mode to filamentary mode. The higher the thickness of dielectric barriers, the larger the air gap distance for generating the homogeneous discharge mode. The average discharge power increases non-linearly with increasing applied voltage amplitude, and decreases non-linearly with the increase of air gap distance and barrier thickness. In order to generate stable and homogeneous DBD with high discharge power, thin barriers distance should be used, and higher applied voltage amplitude should be applied to small air gap.

Transition of Streamer, Corona and Glow Discharges in Needle-to-plane Dielectric Barrier Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure Air

To discuss the modes of dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) between needle-to-plane electrodes in air,DBD is generated and observed on a needle-to-plane device at atmospheric pressure air.Fast images of the DBD are taken by using a charge couple device(CCD) cinema with a macro lens,while the electrical and photo-electricity waveforms of the DBD are recorded.The current waveforms show that under an applied voltage of 3 kV,there are numerous short current pulses in both positive and negative half-periods of discharges.However,under 6 kV,there are still the numerous short current pulses in the positive half-periods,but only one wide current pulse in each negative half-period.This difference is also found in the photoelectric signals.The streamer,corona and glow discharges are observed from the images of the discharges at different applied voltages.The structure of glow discharge in the negative period is exactly the same as that of the low pressure glow discharge.However,in the positive period of discharge there is always a streamer.In the negative period of discharge,while the applied voltage increases,the transition from corona to glow discharge is observed.The progress of a transition between streamer and glow discharge at 6 kV during one period is analyzed.The glow discharge appearance is determined by two factors: the discharge current is limited to a certain extent by the dielectric layer; the charges deposited on the dielectric layer during the last half period enhance the intensity of the electric field.At an insufficient applied voltage,the cathode drop leads to no glow discharge,but Trichel pulses.

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.

Spectroscopic Study of a Radio-Frequency Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge with Anodic Alumina as the Dielectric

This paper presents the fabrication and a spectroscopic study of a stable radio- frequency dielectric barrier discharge （RF DBD） in Ar with a novel dielectric, anodic alumina, at atmospheric pressure. Dielectric electrodes are fabricated from commercially available low cost impure aluminum strips by a two-step anodization process in 0.3 M solution of oxalic acid. The discharge is found to be stable with excellent spatial uniformity for the RF input power range of 30～80 W. Excitation and rotational temperatures measured in the experiment range of 1472～3255 K and 434～484 K, respectively, as the input power changes from 30 W to 80 W. These temperature ranges are suitable for surface modification applications.

Effect of Driving AC Voltage Frequency on Breakdown Voltage in Dielectric Barrier Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure in Helium

For dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)driven by AC voltage in helium at atmospheric,the relationship between the breakdown voltage and the driving frequency is experimentally investigated using a pair of parallel electrodes.The gap between the electrodes is 1 mm,4 mm,7 mm,and 10 mm,respectively.Meanwhile with an increment of 2 kHz,the applied AC voltage varies from 12 kHz to 30 kHz.In each experiment,the driving voltage increases slowly,till the helium-filled gap breaks down.Based on a number of experimental results and further analyses,conclusions are obtained as follows.(1)For a small gap(1 mm),the voltage that triggers the first breakdown(Uf)is close to the one that sustains steady breakdowns(Us).However,in the larger gaps(4,7,and 10 mm),Uf is obviously larger than Us.(2)For a fixed gap,Uf does not change significantly with the driving frequency,whereas in the gaps except the 1 mm one,Us drastically decreases with the increase of driving frequency.(3)The motion of residual space charges and the dissipation of positive column,two reasonable factors that explains asymmetrical discharges,are also main reasons for the effect of the driving frequency on the breakdown voltages.

Atmospheric Pressure Radio Frequency Dielectric Barrier Discharges in Nitrogen/Argon

This work reports the experimental results on the characteristics of radio frequency dielectric barrier N2/Ar discharges. Depending on the nitrogen content in the feed gas and the input power, the discharge can operate in two different modes： a homogeneous glow discharge and a constricted discharge. With increasing input power, the number of discharge columns increases. The discharge columns have starlike structures and exhibit symmetric self-organized arrangement. Optical emission spectroscopy was performed to estimate the plasma temperature. Spatially resolved gas temperature measurements, determined from NO emission rotational spectroscopy were taken across the 4.4 mm gap filled by the discharge. Gas temperature in the middle of the gas gap is lower than that close to the electrodes.

Effect of Duty Cycle on the Characteristics of Pulse-Modulhted Radio-Frequency Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Using a one-dimensional fluid model, the pulse-modulated radio-frequency dielectric barrier discharge in atmospheric helium is described. The influences of the pulse duty cycle on the discharge characteristics are studied. The numerical results show that the dependence of discharge characteristics on the duty cycle is sensitive in the region of around 40% duty cycle under the given simulation parameters. In the case of a larger duty cycle, the plasma density is higher, the discharge becomes more intense, but the power consumption is higher. When the duty cycle is lower, one can get a weaker discharge, lower plasma density and higher electron temperature in the bulk plasma. In practical applications, in order to get a higher plasma density and a lower power consumption, it is more important to choose a suitable duty cycle to modulate the RF power supply.

Nanosecond Repetitively Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Air at Atmospheric Pressure

Dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） between two cylindrical glass containers with salt water generated by a nanosecond repetitively pulsed power generator is reported. The electrical parameters, luminous images and spectrum diagnosis are presented. It is shown that the DBD possesses a large discharge current and an intense optical emission from the nitrogen second positive system below 400 nm. The gas temperature remains very close to room temperature regardless of pulse polarity. Luminous photographs with a short exposure time down to 2 ns indicate that no filament is observed and the discharge is homogeneous.

The Role of Metastable Atoms in a Homogeneous Atmospheric Pressure Barrier Discharge in Helium

A one-dimensional fluid model for homogeneous atmospheric pressure barrier discharges in helium is presented by considering elementary processes of excitation and ionization including a metastable atom effect. Using this model we investigate the behaviours of the helium metastable atoms in discharges as well as their influence on the discharge characteristics. It is shown that the metastable atoms with a relatively high concentration during the discharge are mainly produced in the active phase of the discharge and dissolved in the off phase. It is also found that the metastable atom collisions can not only provide seed electrons for discharges but also influence the concentration of ions. A reduction of matestable atom density results in a drop in the charged particle densities and causes a qualitative change in the discharge patterns.

A Simplified Numerical Study of the Kr/Cl_2 Plasma Chemistry in Dielectric Barrier Discharge

In this paper, the generation of excimers and exciplexe radiation in mixtures of rare gas with halogen by homogeneous dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） is investigated. The typical characteristics of an excilamp based on KrCI＊ exciplexe molecules and the kinetic processes for the formation and the decay of this molecules in the Kr/Cl2 mixture are studied. The computer model developed is based on the Kr/Cl2 mixture chemistry, the equivalent electric circuit and the Boltzmann equations. The importance in the kinetic processes of some species such as the metastable state of Krypton （Kr＊（3P0,2）） and the negative ion of chloride （C1-） is considered. The results illustrate the time variations of charged species （ne, Kr＋, CI-, Cl＋, Cl＋, Kr＋）, excited atoms and molecules （Kr＊（3p0,2）, Kr＊（3P1）, Cl＊, Cl2）, the excimers （Kr, KrCl＊（B）, KrCI＊（C）, Kr2Cl＊） and the UV photon concentrations （in 222 nm, 235 nm, 258 nm and 325 nm range）. The effects of chlorine concentration and the total gas pressure in the Kr-Cl2 discharge on the electric parameters and radiation emissions are investigated.

Filament Discharge Phenomena in Fingerprint Acquisition by Dielectric Barrier Discharge

In this paper, the dielectric barrier discharge fingerprint acquisition technique is introduced. The filament discharge phenomena were observed in the process of fingerprint acquisition. The filament discharge reduced the quality of fingerprint images. Obviously, it was necessary to eliminate streamer discharges in order to get good fingerprint images. The streamer discharge was considered to be the cause of the filament discharge in the experiment. The relationship between the critical electric field and the discharge gap was calculated with the Raether＇s model of streamer discharge. The calculated results and our experiment proved that it would be difficult for the streamer discharge to occur when the discharge gap was narrow. With a narrow discharge gap, the discharge was homogeneous, and the fingerprint images were clear and large in area. The images obtained in the experiment are very suitable for fingerprint identification as they contain more information.

A Computational Study on the Discharge Characteristics of Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Discharges at a Constant Power

The study on homogeneous DBDs at atmospheric pressure has attracted much attention for their advantages in applications. Tremendous work has been conducted both experimentally and numerically at a constant applied voltage or driving frequency. However the investigation of dielectric barrier discharges is still scarce for a constant power or power density. In this work, a new computational approach for DBDs is developed to explore atmospheric DBDs at a constant power based on a one-dimensional fluid model. The frequency and gap spacing effects on the atmospheric plasmas are systematically analyzed based on computational data. The computational results show that at a constant power both the current density and the amplitude of the applied voltage decrease, whereas the current pulse width increases, with increasing frequency. The simulation also indicates that as the gap spacing is raised with a fixed power and frequency, the current density and electron density increase initially, then reach their peak values, and then decrease, which means that there are maximum values for both of them. These results are significant for many industrial applications, as they can be used to optimize plasma devices of DBDs with the consideration of power consumption.

Characteristic of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet in Coplanar Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Non-thermal plasma jet at atmospheric pressure has recently attracted lots of attention because of its applications in plasma bullet or plasma plume.Thus,we studied on generating plasma jet by coplanar dielectric barrier discharge in a device driven by sinusoidal voltage.The processes of plasma discharges in both positive and negative half cycles were recorded using a high-speed ICCD(intensified charge-coupled device)camera;based on the results we estimated the velocity of plasma propagation,and investigated the influence of gas flow on the plasma development.It is shown that the plasma bullets,which have velocity in the order of 103～104m/s,exist only outside the cathode.APPJ(atmospheric pressure plasma jet)is created by the electron beam from the cathode,and then sustained by a strong radial electric field near and outside the cathode.The gas flow influences the APPJ length in air but not the APPJ discharge,while the discharge is affected significantly by the applied voltage.

Numerical Study of Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure Under the Needle-Plate Electrode Configuration

In this paper, we study the characteristics of atmospheric-pressure pulsed dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） under the needle-plate electrode configuration using a one-dimensional self-consistent fluid model. The results show that, the DBDs driven by positive pulse, negative pulse and bipolar pulse possess different behaviors. Moreover, the two discharges appearing at the rising and the falling phases of per voltage pulse also have different discharge regimes. For the case of the positive pulse, the breakdown field is much lower than that of the negative pulse, and its propagation characteristic is different from the negative pulse DBD. When the DBD is driven by a bipolar pulse voltage, there exists the interaction between the positive and negative pulses, resulting in the decrease of the breakdown field of the negative pulse DBD and causing the change of the discharge behaviors. In addition, the effects of the discharge parameters on the behaviors of pulsed DBD in the needle-plate electrode configuration are also studied.

Surface Treatment of Polyethylene Terephthalate Film Using Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge in Air

Non-thermal plasmas under atmospheric pressure are of great interest in polymer surface processing because of their convenience, effectiveness and low cost. In this paper, the treatment of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film surface for improving hydrophilicity using the non-thermal plasma generated by atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) in air is conducted. The discharge characteristics of APGD are shown by measurement of their electrical discharge parameters and observation of light-emission phenomena, and the surface properties of PET before and after the APGD treatment are studied using contact angle measurement, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is found that the APGD is homogeneous and stable in the whole gas gap, which differs from the commonly filamentary dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). A short time (several seconds) APGD treatment can modify the surface characteristics of PET film markedly and uniformly. After 10 s APGD treatment, the

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.

Electrical Characteristics of Pseudoglow Discharges in Helium under Atmospheric Pressure

A pseudoglow discharge behaviour is achieved at a 2.0-mm dielectric-dielectric electrode gap in pure helium under atmospheric pressure. An experimental study of the pseudoglow discharges is presented. The electrical characteristics and the discharge photos of the pseudoglow discharges are analyzed and discussed. The current-voltage parameters of the pseudoglow dis- charges are considered in regard to the influence on their behaviour.