Gas dynamics and thermal-ionization instability of the cathode region of a glow discharge. Part II

The influence of the gas flow structure in the cathode sheath of a glow discharge on the discharge stability is studied numerically. The electric parameters are calculated in a diffusion-drift model that consistently takes into account associative dissociation as an additional electron source. The model also includes equations describing both the thermal mode of the cathode and the nonequilibrium physicochemical gas dynamics of a moderately rarefied gas. It is shown that, in a pulsed discharge, the increasing branch of the current-voltage characteristic, which is associated with the gas rarefaction behind the cathode shock wave, can change to a descending branch associated with the intensification of associative ionization. This gives rise to cathode sheath instability. The results of calculations agree well with experiments.     

Über die periodischen Vorgänge in einer Gleichstromgasentladung

The energy source which maintains the periodical phenomena in a d.c. glow discharge in rarefied gases and the determining factors of their characteristics is studied. Departing from the obtained experimental data an unitary explanation of these phenomena is given indicating the a.c. glow discharge circuit, the components of the d.c. gas discharge proper oscillator circuits which determine the oscillation form and frequency as well as the surface phenomena in the negative glow region which are responsable for the generation and maintenance of these phenomena. The periodical light phenomena which occur in the positive glow discharge parts are a result of the d.c. modulation by the alternating current, a.c. circuit including these parts of the d.c. glow discharge.     

Interaction of a surface glow discharge with a gas flow

A surface glow discharge in a gas flow is of particular interest as a possible tool for controlling the flow past hypersonic aircrafts. Using a hydrodynamic model of glow discharge, two-dimensional calculations for a kilovolt surface discharge in nitrogen at a pressure of 0.5 Torr are carried out in a stationary gas, as well as in a flow with a velocity of 1000 m/s. The discharge structure and plasma parameters are investigated near a charged electrode. It is shown that the electron energy in a cathode layer reaches 250–300 eV. Discharge is sustained by secondary electron emission. The influence of a high-speed gas flow on the discharge is considered. It is shown that the cathode layer configuration is flow-resistant. The distributions of the electric field and electron energy, as well as the ionization rate profile in the cathode layer, do not change qualitatively under the action of the flow. The basic effect of the flow’s influence is a sharp decrease in the region of the quasineutral plasma surrounding the cathode layer due to fast convective transport of ions.     

Calculation of ion and fast atom contributions to the sputtering non-uniformity of the target with a surface relief in glow discharge

The energy spectra of ion and fast atom flows at the target with a periodical surface relief of small amplitude in glow discharge are calculated. Distributions of the effective sputtering yield of the target and the sputtered atom flow density along its surface are found. It is shown that contributions of the fast atom flow non-uniformity in them are much less than that of the ion flow non-uniformity and may not be taken into account in the simulation of target sputtering in glow discharge when its surface relief element dimensions are small in comparison with the discharge cathode sheath length.     

A study of cross-gas-flow to stabilize an atmospheric pressure glow plasma in a multi-pin-to-multi-cupped-plane negative corona discharge

In a multi-pin-to-multi-cupped-plane DC negative corona discharge configuration, a stable and diffuse glow discharge controlled by a fast airflow was obtained. This paper investigates the effect of the air gas flow velocity and the electrode structure on the discharge mode transition and the stabilization of the glow discharge by means of electric measurements and emission records. The stabilization mechanism of the glow discharge is discussed. The maximum glow discharge current reached 3.9 mA and the average current density was about 0.7 mA/cm².     

多针电晕增强大气压辉光放电稳定性研究

利用多针电晕增强放电装置，在无气流和存在高速气流的情况下都得到了稳定的大气压辉光.通过纪录发光图片、电流-电压波形和伏安特性曲线的方法对影响放电稳定性的因素做了细致地研究，发现了在从电晕放电到辉光放电的过程中存在着过渡阶段，表现为出现带有直流成分的Trichel脉冲.气流速度、极板间距以及针尖锥度和凹坑曲率半径的匹配程度都对放电的稳定性和电流密度有着重要的影响. 关键词： 大气压辉光放电 多针电晕 等离子体     

实现大气压负直流辉光放电的针-柱电极结构设计与实验

为了实现大气压环境下稳定的辉光放电,设计了一种新型的针-柱电极结构放电装置。采用针尖直径为56.4 μm的不锈钢针作为放电阴极,直径为4 mm的紫铜圆柱作为放电阳极,两者通过精密机械结构保持平行。当针-柱之间间距为2 mm、镇流电阻10 MΩ,放电电阻10 MΩ,测试电阻1 kΩ、放电电压-2 740 V、大气压环境、室温、无外部通入气流时,针-柱之间实现了稳定的辉光放电。示波器存储的放电波形和数码相机记录的放电图像验证了从电晕放电到辉光放电,再到火花放电的三种放电模式。该针-柱结构易于用MEMS工艺加工制作,可应用于便携式分析仪器中作为离子源使用。     

Investigations to the increase of the specific energy of a gasdynamic CO-laser

The input power density and hence the output power of electrically excited gasdynamic lasers is limited by instabilities of the glow discharge. The application of theoretical results, which have been obtained with respect of convection or flow lasers, to the discharge region of an electrically excited gasdynamic CO-laser shows, that especially thermal instabilities cause this glow collapse. An increased convection of local heat concentrations in front of the anode surface results in an improved stability behaviour. Input power densities of up to 100 W/cm³ are now accessible to operate the glow discharge and hence specific laser output powers of 57 kJ/kg are obtained.     

Calculation of the flow of sputtered atoms returning to a target with a surface relief during sputtering in glow discharge

A model is constructed that describes the transport of a sputtered substance near a target with a relief surface that is sputtered in glow discharge. For a periodic relief with small amplitude, distribution of a return flow of sputtered atoms from a discharge gap is calculated by a perturbation method. It is shown that nonuniform repeated deposition of the substance sputtered from the target could be one of the causes of formation of a relief on its surface.     

A model of the cathode spot glow discharge for a cathode withinclusions of low work function material

A model that describes the self-maintained glow discharge for a composite cathode in which cathode spots are formed on low work function material inclusions is presented. Based on this model, expressions are obtained for the radius of the spot, the cathode voltage, and the spot current as functions of Pd (where P is the gas pressure and d is the thickness of the cathode layer), the parameters of the inclusions, and the basic material matrix are obtained. Numerical results for the case of a glow discharge in 75 torr neon gas with a copper cathode matrix and inclusions of LaB₆ are presented. The average radii of inclusions were 0.05 and 0.015 mm. Conditions under which the glow discharge migrates from the inclusions and begins to spread onto the surface of the basic matrix are obtained. The transition of the glow discharge into a contracted state, depending on the structure of the composite material, is also considered     

Experimental data on the initiation of a pseudospark discharge

In connection with the development of a pseudospark switch for copper vapor lasers, several long endurance tests at repetition rates between 50 Hz and 7 kHz have been performed during the past years. These tests give some clues to the basic phenomena that are involved in the current build-up of a pseudospark discharge, especially as concerns the interaction of gas and surface effects. According to these results, current flow is initiated by a glow discharge in such a way that the positive column penetrates into the hollow cathode; forming a virtual anode. When the current reaches a threshold value <100 A, the electric field produced in the cathode fall of the glow discharge is sufficient for the formation of cathode spots in the cathode backspace. The spots act as electron emitters and carry the discharge current up to approximately 1 kA, where large area emission processes at the front side of the cathode might become important     

实验研究大气压多脉冲辉光放电的模式和机理

采用稍不平行电极进行大气压He气介质阻挡多脉冲辉光放电实验,通过增强电子耦合器件相机短时曝光照片,研究大气压多脉冲辉光放电在不同时刻的放电模式.通过气隙放电电流、表面电荷计算,理论分析了表面电荷、空间电荷、外加电压与气隙电场强度的关系,研究大气压辉光放电形成多脉冲的机理.实验结果表明,放电首先在间隙稍窄的电极左端开始;在第一个脉冲电流峰值,电极右端也开始放电;第一个电流脉冲经历了Townsend放电到辉光放电的过程;电流脉冲之间的时间内,间隙一直维持着微弱的辉光放电;随后的每个电流脉冲均是辉光放电.理论分析表明,大气压辉光放电的多个电流脉冲是表面电荷、空间电荷与外加电压共同演化的结果;除放电伊始出现Townsend放电外,同一半周期内的放电电流脉冲中不会再出现Townsend放电. 关键词： 介质阻挡放电 增强电子耦合器件 大气压辉光放电 多脉冲     

实验研究大气压多脉冲辉光放电的模式和机理

采用稍不平行电极进行大气压He气介质阻挡多脉冲辉光放电实验,通过增强电子耦合器件相机短时曝光照片,研究大气压多脉冲辉光放电在不同时刻的放电模式.通过气隙放电电流、表面电荷计算,理论分析了表面电荷、空间电荷、外加电压与气隙电场强度的关系,研究大气压辉光放电形成多脉冲的机理.实验结果表明,放电首先在间隙稍窄的电极左端开始;在第一个脉冲电流峰值,电极右端也开始放电;第一个电流脉冲经历了Townsend放电到辉光放电的过程;电流脉冲之间的时间内,间隙一直维持着微弱的辉光放电;随后的每个电流脉冲均是辉光放电.理论分析表明,大气压辉光放电的多个电流脉冲是表面电荷、空间电荷与外加电压共同演化的结果;除放电伊始出现Townsend放电外,同一半周期内的放电电流脉冲中不会再出现Townsend放电.     

Analysis of Plasmadynamic Nanosecond-Range Processes in the Formation of Shock Waves from Pulsed Discharges

We have studied the dynamics of the plasma glow of pulsed discharges (sliding surface discharge and combined volume discharge with plasma electrodes) in the nanosecond range (100–12 000 ns) in stationary air and in the flow behind the front of a plane shock wave with Mach numbers 1.7–5.0 in the shock tube channel. The temporal characteristics of the flow, the radiation spectra, and the discharge currents in air are compared in the pressure range 5–150 Torr, a pulsed voltage of 20–30 kV, and a current of about 1 kA. It is shown that the time of current under various conditions does not exceed 400 ns, and the duration of the glow can reach a few microseconds. It is shown that as a result of energy supply near the planar shock wave front, the decay of discontinuities occurs with the formation of shock waves and contact surfaces. The positions of the plasma glow regions are compared with the positions of discontinuity surfaces of numerically calculated gasdynamic parameters in the flow.     

Mechanisms controlling the transition from glow silent discharge tostreamer discharge in nitrogen

Low-energy dielectric-barrier controlled discharges in nitrogen are studied by undertaking electrical measurements to determine mechanisms controlling the transition from glow to streamer-like discharge. The highest and the lowest values of the frequency and the amplitude of power supply voltage leading to a glow discharge have been found dependent on the gas flow and the nature of the surface in contact with the discharge. These boundary values have been related to the criteria necessary for initiating a Townsend breakdown rather than a streamer breakdown commonly observed under such conditions. This implies: (1) that the seed electron density just before the breakdown is high enough to allow the development of numerous small avalanches under a low field avoiding the formation of only one large avalanche mechanism at the origin of the streamer formation; and (2) to let the time for ions issued from the first avalanches to reach the cathode before the electrical field becomes large enough to induce the formation of large avalanches. Practically, the transition from a Townsend breakdown to a streamer breakdown is analyzed from electrical measurements data coupled to the visual aspect of the discharge. Without any gas flow, the obtaining of an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) is mainly limited by the species etched from the surface in contact with the gas. Indeed, these species can be quenchers of the nitrogen metastable molecules, which are the species at the origin of the formation of seed electrons via the Penning effect. This limitation can be overcome by the use of a laminar gas flow. However, this type of gas flow through the discharge induces a depletion of N₂ metastables and, consequently, influences the electron density at the entrance of the discharge, leading to a tendency on this part of the discharge to transit to a streamer-like one     

介质阻挡均匀大气压辉光放电数值模拟研究

通过数值求解一维电子、离子连续性方程和动量方程，以及电流连续性方程，计算了氦气介 质阻挡大气压辉光放电电子、离子密度和电场在放电空间的时空分布，以及放电电流密度和 绝缘介质板充电电荷密度随时间的变化. 分析讨论所加电压频率、幅值及介质板性质等对均 匀大气压辉光放电性质的影响. 当外加电压频率足够高时，大量离子被俘获在放电空间，空 间电荷场又引起足够多的电子滞留在放电空间. 这些种子电子使得在大气压下发生汤森放电 ，放电空间结构类似于低气压辉光放电，即存在明显的阴极位降区、负辉区、法拉第暗区和 等离子体正柱 关键词： 大气压辉光放电 介质阻挡 数值模拟 等离子体     

针-板DBD微流注与微辉光交替生成的机理研究

在介质阻挡放电体系中产生辉光放电可以有效的提高放电体系产生高能电子的性能, 为等离子体化学反应提供更加丰富的活性粒子.本文对针-板介质阻挡放电体系下的放电模式进行了研究,实验发现放电正负半周期表现出不同的放电模式, 激励电压为3 kV时放电正负半周期分别为微流注放电和电晕放电(或者Trichel脉冲放电),激励电压为6 kV时放电正负半周期分别为微流注放电和微辉光放电.微辉光放电形貌具有与典型辉光放电相同的分层次放电结构, 分析了激励电压6 kV时的放电过程,认为足够强的阴极电场强度和裸露针状电极形成的有效的二次电子发射过程是形成微辉光放电的主要因素,绝缘介质层的存在避免了微辉光放电向弧光放电过渡.     

GDP/D-GDP化学结构与力学性能的研究

利用低压等离子体增强化学气相沉积技术制备碳氢辉光放电聚合物(GDP)和全氘代辉光放电聚合物(D-GDP)薄膜。利用表面轮廓仪、傅里叶红外光谱仪和纳米压痕技术对制备的样品进行表征,讨论了GDP/D-GDP薄膜的沉积速率、化学结构和力学性能在ICF物理实验用靶应用中的优缺点。结果表明:GDP/D-GDP薄膜的沉积速率都随反应气体流量比例近线性增加,GDP的沉积速率达到2.6μm,D-GDP的沉积速率达到1μm,GDP的沉积速率远大于D-GDP的沉积速率;D-GDP薄膜内部的交联化程度较弱,D-GDP更有利于靶丸内燃料的红外均化;GDP的力学性能明显优于D-GDP,更有利于ICF物理实验用靶的燃料填充与装配操作。     

预试环中H_2及掺杂甲烷的辉光放电清洗

本文给出了在预试环中产生和维持辉光放电的基本参数、氢气(H_2)及氢气掺杂甲烷(H_2/CH_4)辉光放电清洗过程中的质谱分析结果以及氢气辉光放电清洗处理后的样品表面SIMS(二次离子质谱)结果,并进行了讨论。