Effects of relative permittivity on primary and secondary streamers in atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge

Abstract

In this study, a two-dimensional simulation of atmospheric-pressure streamer discharge with a dielectric on the cathode was conducted to investigate the effects of relative permittivity on primary and secondary streamer characteristics. An electrode configuration with an air gap of 0.1 mm was employed. The input parameters of the simulations were the relative permittivity, dielectric thickness, and applied voltage, which were summarised with five simulation conditions. The propagation velocity and electric field strength of the primary streamer mostly depended on the initial electric field applied between the anode and the dielectric surface, which is determined by the relative permittivity, dielectric thickness, and applied voltage. Conversely, the length and electric field strength of the secondary streamer depended on the amount of charge supplied by the primary streamer and the capacitance of the dielectric, which is defined by the relative permittivity and dielectric thickness.