Numerical study of period multiplication and chaotic phenomena in an atmospheric radio-frequency discharge

Abstract

In this paper, a computational study of period multiplication and chaotic behavior of radio-frequency (rf) dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) in atmospheric argon using an one-dimension fluid model was reported. These complex nonlinear behaviors are closely associated with the current-voltage characteristics of rf DBD, and mainly occur in γ-mode of rf DBD with relatively larger negative differential conductivity. With varying the discharge parameter rf DBD in γ-mode undergoes a transition from single-period discharge to chaos through period doubling bifurcation. When period multiplication and chaos take place, the sheath electric field bifurcates to cause the regular or irregular fluctuation in sheath thickness, consequently resulting in the period multiplication or chaotic behavior of the discharge current density. The spatial characteristics of rf period multiplication or chaotic discharges are also investigated.