Some results of particle in cell simulations of initial argon Dielectric Barrier Discharges

Summary form only given. We simulate Dielectric Barrier Discharges (DBD) in Argon using the commercial particle in cell (PIC) code MAGIC. The simulations are done in pure Argon at atmospheric pressure to avoid the complications that occur in air. We study DBDs with an embedded surface electrode and also with an exposed surface electrode. The only particle creation -destruction effect we consider is the ionization of Argon by electron impact. The ion drag is based on the process of charge exchange of an ion with its parent gas. The electron drag cross section is based on BEB (binary encounter Bethe) cross section with a low energy correction. Our simulations last only about one nanosecond due to the large number of electrons produced, which fill our computer memory. We calculate the momentum imparted to the neutral gas during each time step by collisions with the ions and electrons and also the total accumulated momentum density imparted to the neutral gas during the entire simulation. This effect has been called the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) force. The discharge is so fast that the neutral atoms have no time to move and are considered to be at rest.