Glow-Like Helium and Filament-Like Argon Plasma Jets of Using a Dielectric Barrier Configuration at Atmospheric Pressure

Discharge characteristics of helium and argon planar plasma jets, impinging on a dielectric substrate in the ambient air, were comparatively investigated by high-speed photographs and electrical measurements. The helium plasma jet formed a luminous layer close to the dielectric surface and maintained homogenous in the transverse direction. The argon plasma jet propagated through a localized channel of ~1-mm diameter and spread on the substrate surface. Experimental results show that helium and argon plasma jets are glow-like and filament-like discharges, respectively.