Generation of Atmospheric Pressure Transient Glow Discharge in Microgap Electrode with Nanosecond Pulsed Voltage

Abstract

Atmospheric pressure transient glow discharges in microgap electrodes were generated using high voltage pulse with the nanosecond pulse width ranging from 50 to 300 ns. A short pulse generator using a pulse forming line scheme with a reflected wave absorption circuit was designed and operated. The transient glow discharges developed to arcs when the pulse width was long enough. Their duration decreased with increasing an ambient gas pressure and extended with shorter electrode separation. Utilizing a nozzle-to-sphere electrode system with fast gas flow of helium, a stable atmospheric pressure transient glow discharge was successfully obtained. The injection energy was controlled by changing the applied voltage and the gap length. The peak input power of 25 kW was obtained.