Two-dimensional modelling of a nitrogen dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure: filament dynamics with the dielectric barrier on the cathode

Abstract

A two-dimensional numerical model for the filamentary mode of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is presented. Special attention is paid to the arrangement of electrodes with the dielectric on the cathode. The gas is nitrogen at atmospheric pressure and the discharge gap is equal to 1 mm. The model shows that the discharge develops in two phases. There is first the formation and propagation of an ionizing wave across the discharge gap. Then, as a result of the interaction of the filament with the dielectric, a surface streamer is formed on the dielectric. The propagation of this surface streamer is correlated with the further charging of the dielectric and its characteristics are analysed thoroughly.