PPPS-2013: This is a sample abstract submission dielectric barrier discharges: Pulsed breakdown, electrical characterization and Chemistry

Summary form only given. The application of atmospheric pressure discharges in new fields like environmental protection, surface treatment or life-sciences requires a profound knowledge on the plasma parameters and properties. This includes (1) the characterization of the breakdown processes triggering plasma chemistry, (2) the proper determination of the electrical parameters and (3) the description of the dominant chemical pathways. The contribution aims to present new approaches regarding these three topics for pulsed driven Dielectric Barrier Discharges in particular. It will be shown by fast electrical, optical and spectroscopic methods that the ignition, breakdown statistics and spatio-temporally resolved development of pulsed DBD microdischarges is controlled by the properties of the power supply (duty cycle, frequency, amplitude varied) as well as the composition of the gas
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. In particular the starting point of the microdischarge ignition can be changed which is a new effect in DBDs caused by electric field rearrangement in the gap due to positive ion development. Surface processes at the dielectric barriers influencing this behavior will be discussed, too. The determination of electrical parameters such as discharge current, gas gap voltage, instantaneous power and energy as well as the charge transferred through the gas gap based on a simple equivalent circuit will be presented. The proposed approach accurately accounts the displacement current and key capacitance values, which inexactly determination are a source of experimental errors in particular in case of pulsed driven DBDs. The presented approach is consistent with sinusoidal-voltage driven or miniature pulsed driven DBDs. We believe that these new insights on electrical characterization are an important input for those who are working with DBDs, since the electrical parameters are mandatory information. The characterization of the dominant chemical pathways of advanced plasma processes is usually focused on the volume processes only. This contribution will discuss several examples which shall emphasize, that secondary effects must be considered, too. These shall cover the topics of adsorption-enhanced VOC conversion by DBD plasma treatment, NOx conversion and indirect plasma treatment of liquids for antimicrobial and chemical decontamination.