Numerical modelling of an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge in nitrogen:: electrical and kinetic description

An atmospheric pressure molecular nitrogen dielectric barrier discharge, under relatively high frequency (130 kHz) sinusoidal excitation, is investigated by means of a coupled electro-dynamic and kinetic model. The spatio temporal evolution of charged particles and electric field along the discharge axis is analyzed in a 1.5D finite difference framework which consists of the solution of 1D continuity and 2D Poisson equations, respectively. A 0D kinetic model accounts for the evolution of N-2 neutral particles considering the principal triplet electronic states N-2(X-1 Sigma(+)(g)), N-2(A 3 Sigma(+)(u)), N-2(B (3)Pi(g)) and N-2(C (3)Pi(u)) as well as the singlet metastable state N-2(a' (1)Sigma(-)(u)). It is shown that the evolution of the discharge takes place in three distinct phases, each one characterized by different current waveforms. The discharge's efficiency on active species production is examined, revealing the dominant character of metastable species A (3)Sigma(+)(u) and a' (1)Sigma(-)(u). Comparison of the numerical model's results with experimental ones is performed in the framework of electrical and optical diagnostics.