Breakdowns and the formation of microdischarge channels in surface barrier discharges

Abstract

The dynamics of the space-time evolution of a creeping (surface) barrier discharge in pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure was studied by numerical simulation. The breakdown through a gas gap was found to end by the formation of a cathode layer. The distribution of parameters in this layer was close to that in the “normal” cathode layer. The cathode layer, which was a source of electrons, sustained the formation of a microdischarge channel above a dielectric. Microdischarge channel elongation over a dielectric was shown to be effected by a streamer formed in the head of the channel and to be accompanied by charge fall-out onto the surface of the dielectric barrier. This noticeably decreased the mean electric field strength in the channel and the intensity of discharge processes and eventually caused their cessation.