Excitation dynamics of micro-structured atmospheric pressure plasma arrays

H. Boettner, J. Waskoenig, D. O'Connell, T. L. Kim, P. A. Tchertchian, J. Winter, V. Schulz-von der Gathen

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Abstract

The spatial dynamics of the optical emission from an array of 50 times 50 individual microcavity plasma devices is investigated. The array is operated in argon and argon-neon mixtures close to atmospheric pressure with an ac voltage. The optical emission is analysed with phase and space resolution. It has been found that the emission is not continuous over the entire ac period, but occurs once per half period. Each of the observed emission phases shows a self-pulsing of the discharge, with several bursts of emission of fixed width and repetition rate. The number of emission bursts depends on applied voltage and frequency. Spatially resolved measurements prove that the emission bursts are formed by overlapping emission pulses from single discharge cavities. Intensity differences between positive and negative half-wave can be interpreted through spatially resolved measurements of single discharge cavities.

Original languageEnglish
Article number124010
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Volume43
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2010

Keywords

  • SILICON MICRODISCHARGE DEVICES
  • DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGES
  • PSEUDOGLOW DISCHARGES
  • HELIUM
  • GLOW
  • SPECTROSCOPY
  • FREQUENCY

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