Dielectric barrier discharge in air with a controllable spatial distribution : a tomographic investigation

A novel dielectric barrier discharge source with a controllable discharge distribution has been designed for operation in atmospheric air. A predictable distribution has been achieved through the design of the powered electrode and the dielectric barrier. Optical emission tomography is used to study the discharge distribution. The method and its applicability in studies of non-symmetric plasmas are discussed in the paper. The results show that a desired discharge distribution may be achieved through the manipulation of the electric field amplification by the powered electrode and it is found that the discharge shape resembles the field imposed at the powered electrode only. Together with the flexibility of the plasma source design, this can prove highly advantageous for the treatment of irregularly shaped surfaces in plasma medicine and plasma surface processing at atmospheric pressure.