Footprints of a Fast-Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge

The interaction of plasma filaments with the dielectric surface of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) yields complex branching patterns which are highly sensitive to operating gas, gas pressure, and applied voltage. The images presented in this paper highlight the filamentary mode of a normally homogeneous DBD in Ar using a submicrosecond applied voltage pulse. The footprints of the plasma filaments appear on the dielectric surface as well-known Lichtenberg figures.