Single dielectric barrier discharge characteristics in needle-to-plane configuration

Abstract

Single dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) in the 'needle—submillimetric air gap—polymer barrier—plane' configuration were investigated. The measurements of breakdown voltages, discharge current pulses, transferred charges and surface charge distributions for both needle polarities were conducted by the developed experimental setup. For the same gaps the breakdown voltage and the accumulated surface charge for the positive needle polarity are larger than the ones for the negative polarity. It is shown that the main contribution to the DBD current pulse and accumulated charge is determined by the surface phase of discharge process. Additionally the subsequent DBD development during one period of the applied voltage of triangular waveform was observed. The results indicate a 'memory effect' of the DBD development.