On the homogeneity of the glow-like barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure

The transition of the barrier discharge in nitrogen in a space-charge (glow) phase and the evolution of radial inhomogeneities are investigated on the basis of a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model. At medium frequencies, when the primary mechanism of electron emission from the cathode is desorption of electrons, the final stage of the discharge is a filament. When the frequency of the external voltage is low and the electrons are emitted via UV photons, the initial perturbation significantly expands in a radial direction and a homogeneous glow-like discharge covering the whole surface of the electrodes is observed.