Electric and spectral characteristics of repetitive pulse dielectric barrier discharge under atmospheric pressure

Repetitive pulse dielectric barrier discharge is a new method of generating a large amount of low temperature plasmas. In this paper, the repetitive pulse dielectric barrier discharges were generated respectively in atmospheric Nitrogen and Argon gas. By adjusting discharging conditions including applied voltage, supply frequency and gas flow, different discharging phenomena are recorded. With emission spectrum analysis and discharging power calculation, the electric and spectral characteristics of repetitive pulse dielectric barrier discharge are discussed. The results indicate that the electric and spectral characteristics of repetitive pulse dielectric barrier discharge are quite from discharges driven by alternating current supply. The compositive function of pulse supply, surface charges on dielectric, residual excited molecules and Penning effect are responsible for these differences.