Surface Charge Deposition Research Articles

Self-pulsing of dielectric barrier discharges at low driving frequencies

This paper investigates the self-pulsing of dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) at low driving frequencies. In particular, (a) the dependence of current on the product pd of gas pressure p and the gas gap length d, (b) the effects of lossy dielectrics (in resistive discharges) and large dielectric permittivity (in ferroelectrics) on current dynamics, (c) the transition from Townsend to a dynamic capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) discharge with changing pd values, and (d) the transition from Townsend to a high-frequency CCP regime with increasing the driving frequency. A one-dimensional fluid model of argon plasma is coupled to an equivalent RC circuit for lossy dielectrics. Our results show multiple current pulses per AC period in Townsend and CCP discharge modes which are explained by uncoupled electron–ion transport in the absence of quasineutrality and surface charge deposition at dielectric interfaces. The number of current pulses decreases with an increasing applied frequency when the Townsend discharge transforms into the CCP discharge. The resistive barrier discharge with lossy dielectrics exhibits Townsend and glow modes for the same pd value (7.6 Torr cm) for higher and lower resistances, respectively. Finally, we show that ferroelectric materials can amplify discharge current in DBDs. Similarities between current pulsing in DBD, Trichel pulses in corona discharges, and subnormal oscillations in DC discharges are discussed.

Visualization of electrical interaction among close-packed atmospheric pressure plasma jets

Plasma jet arrays can flexibly generate large-scale plasma in ambient air for surface treatment. Close arrangement of plasma jets inevitably induces a complex electrical interaction, which reshapes plasma plumes and destabilizes the treatment process. Understanding electrical interaction is a prerequisite for optimizing parameters in surface treatment. In this study, we employ a linear electro-optic technique to visualize the electrical interaction on the cross section perpendicular to plume trajectories. The strength of the interaction is featured by the density of the deposited surface charge. Results show that plasma jet arrays can simultaneously deposit like-charged groups onto the substrate. However, the electrical interaction is proven to behave with a tendency toward convergence rather than the repulsion caused by electrostatic interaction. It is inferred that electrons at the head of ionization waves (IWs) shield electrostatic repellence between positive charge groups. The collision ionization by electrons in the interval guides the coalescence of adjacent IWs. This study clarifies the electrical interaction between multiple jets, which is instructive for stable control of large-scale non-thermal plasmas for surface treatment.

Numerical Simulation Study on the Mechanism of Plasma Dissociation of Carbon Dioxide in Atmospheric Pressure Packed-Bed Reactors

This article presents a comprehensive study on the streamer propagation and electric field distribution within a two-dimensional fluid model of a packed bed reactor (PBR) filled with carbon dioxide, utilizing the PASSKEy simulation platform. The research delves into the spatiotemporal evolution of electron density, electric fields and key plasma species in the discharge process. The model simulates a PBR with layered dielectric spheres, indicates that the inner sides of the first and second layers of dielectric spheres are not the primary regions for reactions such as CO<sub>2</sub> dissociation; instead, the main regions are along the streamer propagation path and the outer side of the first layer of dielectric spheres. The study by examining the propagation of streamers in the presence of an electric field, highlighting the influence of anode voltage rise and dielectric polarization on local electric field enhancement. This enhancement leads to increased electron density and temperature, facilitating streamer propagation and the formation of filamentary microdischarges and surface ionization waves. The article provides a detailed analysis of the local electric field evolution at specific points within the PBR. The research further investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of spatial and surface charges, revealing that negative charges concentrate within the streamer and on the dielectric surface, with densities significantly higher than positive charges. The positive charges' distribution is closely related to the streamer's path, and over time, they come to dominate the charge distribution in the discharge space. The study also explores the surface charge deposition on the dielectric spheres, discusses the evolution trends of the distribution. Additionally, the article discusses the temporal and spatial evolution of key plasma species, including ions and radicals, and their contribution to the overall discharge characteristics. The production mechanisms of carbon monoxide particles, carbon dioxide ions, and oxygen ions are analyzed, with a focus on their spatial distribution and correlation with electron density. The study concludes with an examination of the energy deposition within the PBR, integrating the spatial energy deposition of electrons and major positive ions. The results indicate a total energy deposition value of approximately 1.428 mJ/m, with carbon dioxide ions accounting for 8.8% of this value.

Surface Charge Deposition by Moving Drops Reduces Contact Angles

Surface Charge Deposition by Moving Drops Reduces Contact Angles

Influence of charges deposited on membranes of human hyperdirect pathway axons on depolarization during subthalamic deep brain stimulation

Objective. The motor hyperdirect pathway (HDP) is a key target in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with deep brain stimulation (DBS). Biophysical models of HDP DBS have been used to explore the mechanisms of stimulation. Built upon finite element method volume conductor solutions, such models are limited by a resolution mismatch, where the volume conductor is modeled at the macro scale, while the neural elements are at the micro scale. New techniques are needed to better integrate volume conductor models with neuron models. Approach. We simulated subthalamic DBS of the human HDP using finely meshed axon models to calculate surface charge deposition on insulting membranes of nonmyelinated axons. We converted the corresponding double layer extracellular problem to a single layer problem and applied the well-conditioned charge-based boundary element fast multipole method (BEM-FMM) with unconstrained numerical spatial resolution. Commonly used simplified estimations of membrane depolarization were compared with more realistic solutions. Main result. Neither centerline potential nor estimates of axon recruitment were impacted by the estimation method used except at axon bifurcations and hemispherical terminations. Local estimates of axon polarization were often much higher at bifurcations and terminations than at any other place along the axon and terminal arbor. Local average estimates of terminal electric field are higher by 10%–20%. Significance. Biophysical models of action potential initiation in the HDP suggest that axon terminations are often the lowest threshold elements for activation. The results of this study reinforce that hypothesis and suggest that this phenomenon is even more pronounced than previously realized.

Method for noncontact measurement of 2DEG mobility and carrier density in AlGaN/GaN on semi-insulating wafers

We present a charge-assisted sheet resistance technique for noncontact wafer level determination of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) mobility versus sheet carrier density without any test structures or gates. Instead, the electrical biasing of the 2DEG is provided by surface charge deposition, using a corona charging method. Analysis of the sheet resistance versus deposited charge identifies the 2DEG full depletion condition and enables calculation of the 2DEG sheet carrier density required for the mobility. Results for AlGaN/GaN heterostructures on semi-insulating SiC and sapphire substrates show good agreement with Hall results at a zero-bias condition.

On the slow ionization waves forming the breakdown in a long capillary tube with helium at low pressure

The results of studies of an electrical breakdown leading to the glow discharge ignition in a long capillary quartz tube are presented. Under such conditions, the breakdown completion is preceded by the development of direct, backward, and counter slow ionization waves (IWs) traveling in the tube. The initiation of the waves was created in helium at low pressure (P = 10 Torr) by the high-voltage pulses of positive and negative polarity with amplitude of several kilovolts. In the beginning, the regime without the breakdown completion in the tube was studied. In this regime, the propagation of only direct positive and direct negative IWs happens. The research on dynamics of the direct, backward, and counter positive and negative waves followed by a complete breakdown was done as well. The influence of the pre-existing plasma on the IWs propagation was also studied. The plasma was created in advance by low-current glow discharge being formed in the tube. The instant images of IWs were correlated with the electrical currents formed by the waves, that is, with the displacement current through the dielectric wall and the conductive current through the plasma column. In the experiments, the fine-sectioned electrode wrapped around the lateral tube surface was used. The usage of such electrode allowed one to study the dynamics of the surface charge deposition and deletion happening during the direct and backward wave propagation, respectively. Finally, a strong difference in the spatial structure and velocity of positive and negative direct waves traveling through non-ionized gas was revealed. Contrary, both the positive and negative backward waves traveling through the plasma formed by previous direct waves have the parameters close to each other.

Features of a negative ionization wave development preceding the full breakdown in a long capillary tube wrapped with a continuous or fine-sectioned grounded electrode

The experimental results on the study of negative ionization wave propagating along a long capillary tube are presented. The ionization wave was initiated by high-voltage pulse of negative polarity. The propagation of this surface ionization wave precedes and influences the establishment of complete electric breakdown within the tube. The spreading of this wave is accompanied by the surface charge deposition. The usage of the fine-sectioned outer electrode allows one to find out the general features of a negative ionization wave. The main of them is the tight correlation between local currents determining the formation of local surface charge and visual discharge images taken by the fast camera characterizing the pace of the ionization wave propagation.

Radial current distribution along the ionization wave propagating in a long dielectric capillary tube filled with a low-pressure helium

The experimental results on the study of the ionization wave propagating along a long capillary tube are presented. The ionization wave was initiated by high-voltage pulse of positive or negative polarity. The propagation of this surface ionization wave precedes and influences the establishment of complete electric breakdown within the tube. The spreading of this wave is accompanied by the surface charge deposition. The usage of the fine-sectioned outer electrode allows one to find out the general features of the ionization waves.

Ionization wave propagation in a long capillary tube in the presence of a low-current glow discharge in low-pressure helium

The experimental results on the study of the positive ionization wave propagating along a long capillary tube are presented. The ionization wave was initiated by eigther high-voltage pulse of positive polarity applied over a long capillary tube with helium or high-voltage pulse applied over the same tube but in presence of low-current glow discharge. The spreading of this wave is accompanied by the surface charge deposition. The usage of the fine-sectioned outer electrode allows one to find out the features of the positive ionization wave in both cases (with or without low-current discharge).

Mechanisms of low-frequency dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma driven by unipolar pulses and bipolar pulses

In this study, experimental results presenting the development of Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) powered by bipolar and unipolar pulses are compared. The experimental results showed that discharge current peaks in the case of DBD driven by repetitive unipolar pulses were about three times lower than those in the case of DBD driven by bipolar pulses. It is well known that if DBD is driven by bipolar pulses, the effect of surface charge on dielectric layers from the preceding discharge helps to ignite consecutive discharges at the same locations where the previous discharges already struck. In contrast, in the case of DBD generated by using the low-frequency unipolar pulses, the consecutive DBDs just could be initiated after the system erases part of the prehistory effect of surface charge deposition on dielectric layers from the preceding discharge, and then the following discharge was ignited at erased or uncharged areas. It was critical that a part of the energy stored in the dielectric layer and discharge gap by the previous discharge needed to be released to develop the next discharge. The results of this study provided an outlook for estimating the effectiveness of the DBD plasma system used in specific applications such as DBD for flow actuators or surface treatment where the use of unipolar DBDs at low frequency may be necessary.

Electrical modeling of dielectric barrier discharge considering surface charge on the plasma modified material**Project supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFB0904400), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51977187), the “Science and Technology Innovation 2025” Key Project of Ningbo City, China (Grant No. 2018B10019), the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, China (Grant

We present the variations of electrical parameters of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) when the DBD generator is used for the material modification, whereas the relevant physical mechanism is also elaborated. An equivalent circuit model is applied for a DBD generator working in a filament discharging mode, considering the addition of epoxy resin (EP) as the plasma modified material. The electrical parameters are calculated through the circuit model. The surface conductivity, surface potential decay, trap distributions and surface charge distributions on the EP surface before and after plasma treatments were measured and calculated. It is found that the coverage area of micro-discharge channels on the EP surface is increased with the discharging time under the same applied AC voltage. The results indicate that the plasma modified material could influence the ignition of new filaments in return during the modification process. Moreover, the surface conductivity and density of shallow traps with low trap energy of the EP samples increase after the plasma treatment. The surface charge distributions indicate that the improved surface properties accelerate the movement and redistribution of charge carriers on the EP surface. The variable electrical parameters of discharge are attributed to the redistribution of deposited surface charge on the plasma modified EP sample surface.

Experimental and numerical investigation of the transient charging of a dielectric surface exposed to a plasma jet

This work investigates the dynamical charging of a surface under exposure of a non-equilibrium plasma jet at atmospheric pressure through a quantitative comparison between modeling and experiments. We show using mono-polar pulses with variable pulse duration and amplitude that the charging time (i.e. the time from impact of the ionization wave till the fall of the high voltage pulse) is a crucial element determining the plasma-surface interaction. This is done through direct measurements of the electric field induced inside the target using the optical diagnostic technique called Mueller polarimetry and comparison with the electric field calculated using a 2D fluid model of the plasma jet interaction with the target in the same conditions as in the experiments. When the charging time is kept relatively short (less than 100 ns), the surface spreading of the discharge and consequent surface charge deposition are limited. When it is relatively long (up to microseconds), the increased surface spreading and charge deposition significantly change the electric field to which the target is exposed during the charging time and when the applied voltage returns to zero.

Numerical study on the discharge pattern evolution in an atmospheric pressure helium dielectric barrier discharge under the variation of nitrogen admixture content

We report a systematic numerical study concerning the effect of traces of nitrogen admixtures on the discharge pattern dynamics in an atmospheric helium dielectric barrier discharge. By gradually increasing the N2 concentration from 1 to 1000 ppm, the discharge mode transformed from the stationary pattern, via quasi-uniform structure, stationary pattern, into the complementary pattern. Analyses revealed that Penning ionization exerted a significant influence on the electron distribution, surface charge deposition and electric field profile over the gap and thus induced the transitions in pattern structure. With the increase of N2 content, the average rate of Penning ionization within the afterglow stage presented a non-monotonic variation trend, which conformed to previous results, and seed electron level of the main discharge varied in a similar way. When the discharge was ignited with a large amount of seed electrons, the electron distribution prior to the breakdown phase tended to homogenize and the level of radial electric field during the pre-ionization process was restrained, contributing to the homogenization of the discharge. Furthermore, the formation of complementary discharge pattern was believed to be resulted from the excessive reduction of average electron density between two adjacent main discharges at above 500 ppm N2 level. The reduced electron concentration made the volume ionization more susceptible to the surface charge distribution and led to the disruption of discharge channel succession between positive and negative half cycles.

Electric field and temperature in a target induced by a plasma jet imaged using Mueller polarimetry

Mueller polarimetry is used to investigate the behavior of an electro optic target (BSO crystal) under exposure of guided ionization waves produced by an atmospheric pressure plasma jet. For the first time, this optical technique is time resolved to obtain the complete Mueller matrix of the sample right before and after the impact of the discharges. By analyzing the induced birefringence, the spatial profiles and local values are obtained of both the electric field and temperature in the sample. Electric fields are generated due to deposited surface charges and a temperature profile is present, due to the heat transferred by the plasma jet. The study of electric field dynamics and local temperature increase at the target, due to the plasma jet is important for biomedical applications, as well as surface functionalization. This work shows how Mueller polarimetry can be used as a novel diagnostic to simultaneously acquire the spatial distribution and local values of both the electric field and temperature, by coupling the external source of anisotropy to the measured induced birefringence via the symmetry point group of the examined material.

Complex interaction of subsequent surface streamers via deposited charge: a high-resolution experimental study

The coplanar barrier discharge in synthetic air at 30 kPa pressure was studied by time-correlated single photon counting enhanced optical emission spectroscopy, far-field microscopy enhanced intensified CCD camera and sensitive current measurements. The discharge operated in a regime where two subsequent microdischarges appeared within the same voltage half-period. The electrical analysis of the barrier discharge setup enabled us to quantify charge transfer and the effective electric field development. During the second microdischarge the positive surface streamers follow the interface (triple-line) between the area of deposited charge from the previous one and the area of uncharged dielectric surface. It is shown that additional branching and flashes of surface streamers are responsible for the increased spatial complexity of the deposited surface charges at high overvoltage. A suppressed streamer propagating over the area of deposited surface charge was tracked and the evidence of surface streamer reconnection is presented. A spatiotemporal distribution (resolution of 120 ps and 100 μm) of the reduced electric field strength was obtained for both microdischarges from the recorded luminosities of the molecular nitrogen. The reduced electric field of positive streamers in the first microdischarge reached 1200 Td. For the second one, the electric field values for the streamer at the triple-line are slightly lower than that, while for the suppressed streamers are even higher.

Research on surface potential decay characteristics of epoxy resin charged by direct current corona

Surface charge accumulation and decay behaviors of dielectric materials are the key factors restricting the development of high voltage direct current power equipment. For flat samples, the density of surface charges deposited by corona can be regarded as a linear change with the surface potential. For this reason, the behavior of surface charge decay can be directly related to that of surface potential. According to the corona charging process, the surface charge deposition and detrapping process, as well as the charge transport process in the bulk, we may establish a physical model dynamic response to the surface potential. Influences of grid voltage, relative permittivity, and bulk conductivity on the surface potential decay process can be obtained through calculating the surface potential decay behaviors of epoxy resin. The higher the grid voltage, the faster the surface potential decays. At the typical parameter value of epoxy resin (relative permittivity 3.93, bulk conductivity 10-14 S m-1), the normalized decay rate can be fitted by two straight lines in a log-log plot; moreover, the calculated results show a linear variation of power factors with the grid voltage, while the power function shows a relationship between the characteristic time and the grid voltage. The bigger the relative permittivity, the slower the surface potential decays. In the typical parameter area of epoxy resin (relative permittivity 3-4), the surface potential decay time constant increases from 1720 s to 2540 s, showing a linear variation. Also the bigger the bulk conductivity, the faster the surface potential decays. In the typical parameter area of epoxy resin (bulk conductivity 10-15-10-13 S m-1), the surface potential decay time constant decreases from 24760 s to 260 s, showing a power function relationship.

Simulation of multipactor on the rectangular grooved dielectric surface

Multipactor discharge on the rectangular grooved dielectric surface is simulated self-consistently by using a two-and-a-half dimensional (2.5 D) electrostatic particle-in-cell (PIC) code. Compared with the electromagnetic PIC code, the former can give much more accurate solution for the space charge field caused by the multipactor electrons and the deposited surface charge. According to the rectangular groove width and height, the multipactor can be divided into four models, the spatial distributions of the multipactor electrons and the space charge fields are presented for these models. It shows that the rectangular groove in different models gives very different suppression effect on the multipactor, effective and efficient suppression on the multipactor can only be reached with a proper groove size.

Surface charge dynamics and OH and H number density distributions in near-surface nanosecond pulse discharges at a liquid / vapor interface

The present work provides insight into surface charge dynamics and kinetics of radical species reactions in nanosecond pulse discharges sustained at a liquid-vapor interface, above a distilled water surface. The near-surface plasma is sustained using two different discharge configurations, a surface ionization wave discharge between two exposed metal electrodes and a double dielectric barrier discharge. At low discharge pulse repetition rates (~100 Hz), residual surface charge deposition after the discharge pulse is a minor effect. At high pulse repetition rates (~10 kHz), significant negative surface charge accumulation over multiple discharge pulses is detected, both during alternating polarity and negative polarity pulse trains. Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and two-photon absorption LIF (TALIF) line imaging are used for in situ measurements of spatial distributions of absolute OH and H atom number densities in near-surface, repetitive nanosecond pulse discharge plasmas.Both in a surface ionization wave discharge and in a double dielectric barrier discharge, peak measured H atom number density, [H] is much higher compared to peak OH number density, due to more rapid OH decay in the afterglow between the discharge pulses. Higher OH number density was measured near the regions with higher plasma emission intensity. Both OH and especially H atoms diffuse out of the surface ionization wave plasma volume, up to several mm from the liquid surface. Kinetic modeling calculations using a quasi-zero-dimensional H2O vapor / Ar plasma model are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data. The results demonstrate the experimental capability of in situ radical species number density distribution measurements in liquid-vapor interface plasmas, in a simple canonical geometry that lends itself to the validation of kinetic models.

The impingement of a kHz helium atmospheric pressure plasma jet on a dielectric surface

A parametric study of the impingement of a helium kHz atmospheric pressure plasma jet on a flat glass surface was performed by means of time-resolved intensified charge-coupled device imaging. The development of the plasma on the target is linked to the plasma evolution in the source and governed by the power supply. The glass surface takes part in the elongation of the plasma jet by the virtue of two mechanisms: the local enhancement of the electric field and the supply of pre-deposited charge. The evidence for the pre-deposited charge is the formation of a sheath on the glass surface, and the faint discharge formed on the glass surface during the negative voltage slope starting at the maximum of the negative current peak. The influence of the gas flow dynamics taking into account various gas flows, incident angles and distances is more important for the behaviour of the discharge on the surface than the voltage amplitude or the geometry of the source. The capacitance of the target strongly modifies the interaction with the plasma jet and increases the deposited surface charge density, featuring a streamer-like propagation mechanism in the case of high electric field enhancement at the surface.