Modeling of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator in air

A detailed physical model for asymmetric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in air at low voltages (1.5-2 kV) is developed. Modeling of DBD with an applied sinusoidal voltage is carried out in two dimensions. The leading role of charging the dielectric surface by electrons in the cathode phase is shown to be critical, acting as a harpoon that pulls positive ions forward and accelerates the gas in the anode phase. The positive ion motion back toward the exposed electrode is shown to be a major source of inefficiency in the sinusoidal or near-sinusoidal voltage cases. Based on understanding of the DBD physics, an optimal voltage waveform is proposed, consisting of high repetition rate, short (a few nanoseconds in duration), negative pulses combined with a positive dc bias applied to the exposed electrode.