The Key Factor for Uniform and Patterned Glow Dielectric Barrier Discharge

We present the results from 2D fluid modeling of the key roles controlling the glow dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) structure. A uniform DBD can be sustained at lower frequency when the space charge reaches uniformity due to plasma decay, while the patterned structure appears above a critical frequency when the space charge is nonuniform. The patterns start from the electrode edge where the electric field is significantly distorted, characterized by the patterned seed electrons that always form ahead of the surface charges. The formation of the patterned DBD structure is associated with the lateral inhibition of the local increase of space charges. The distribution of the volume seed electrons plays a key role in the DBD structure while the distribution of surface charge is a result of the formed structure.