Aachen PK 2003 – scientific programme

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P: Plasmaphysik

P 15: Low Temperature Plasmas, Plasma Technology

P 15.3: Talk

Thursday, March 20, 2003, 16:10–16:30, FO1

On the structure of coplanar dielectric barrier discharges — •Lutz Hulka and Gerhard Pietsch — Electrical Engineering and Gas Discharge Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) are characterized by a discharge region and the presence of one or more insulating layers in between the electrodes. Typical operation conditions are pressures between 0.1 and 10 bar and frequencies in the range of 50 Hz to 100 kHz. Coplanar discharge arrangements consist of pairs of extended electrodes that are embedded in a dielectric close to its surface. The discharge occurs on the surface of the dielectric in between the location of the electrodes.

Optical investigations reveal that in general a number of nearly parallel channels appear with almost equal distances from one another on the surface. The discharge channels in between the position of the electrodes look quite similar to those, which appear in arrangements with a gas gap between the electrodes. Above the cathode weak channels are distinguished, above the anode the discharge seems to be uniform. These patterns correspond to those of microdischarges in arrangements with a gas gap.

(These investigations are supported by the International Bureau of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research at the DLR, project No RUS 00/210.)