Transition from glow-like to streamer-like discharge in atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge controlled by variable dielectric surface layer permittivity

Atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has abundant application fields, and the influence of the barrier material on DBD characteristics has been the research focus in recent years. In this work, a two-dimensional fluid model is built to investigate the effects of the barrier dielectric surface layer with different permittivity distribution on DBD, including electric parameters, electron distribution, and surface charge evolution. It is demonstrated that higher dielectric permittivity can affect DBD by enhancing the electric field E-space of space charge and weakening electric field E-surf of the surface charge and have a more obvious influence on E-surf, which can make DBD transform from glowlike discharge to streamerlike discharge. The dielectric surface layer with linear distribution of permittivity is introduced in DBD, changing the discharge appearance and discharge channel forming sequence. This work may provide some theoretical experiences for the application of a functionally graded material as a barrier dielectric in DBD.