Propagation of Ionization Waves in Nanosecond-Pulse Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Atmospheric Air

This paper presents an experimental investigation of ionization waves’ (IWs’) propagation in a nanosecond-pulse dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure in air. The effect of the rise time and pulse duration on IW propagation is studied by an intensified charge-coupled device, and the mechanism of the discharge propagation is analyzed. The experimental results show that the discharge produced in the rise time of the applied voltage develops in a structure of discontinuous sphere, while the discharge produced in the falling time exhibits a continuous form due to the effect of space charge. Furthermore, the rise time of the applied voltage has a significant influence on the velocity of IWs, and the maximal velocity of IWs rapidly decreases from 0.08 to 0.008 mm/ns when the rise time of the applied voltage increases from 50 to 300 ns. However, the pulse width has almost no influence on the velocity of IWs. The electric field distortion caused by both the propagation of IWs and the accumulation of surface charges is responsible for the formation and propagation of IWs.