Current scaling in an atmospheric pressure capillary dielectric barrier discharge

Current scaling in an atmospheric pressure capillary dielectric barrier discharge, comprising a structured rare gas flow that extends into ambient air, is characterized by electrical and optical measurements. In the transient glow mode, two current scaling regimes were identified that are separated by the static free shear flow boundary. The peak current was sensitive to cathode placement relative to this flow structure and could be scaled from similar to 300 mA to over 5 A. Applying a Boltzmann equation solver, it was found that similar to 1% air entrainment into the flow and an E/N less than or similar to 5x10(-16) V cm(-2) could account for the observed trends.