Atomic oxygen production scaling in a nanosecond-pulsed externally grounded dielectric barrier plasma jet

POSTER

Abstract

Atomic oxygen production is studied in a capillary dielectric barrier plasma jet that is externally grounded and driven with a 20-ns risetime positive unipolar pulsed voltage at pulse repetition rates up to 25 kHz. The power coupled to the discharge can be easily increased by increasing the pulse repetition rate. At a critical turnover frequency, determined by the net energy density coupled to the discharge, the plasma chemistry abruptly changes. This is indicated by increased plasma conductance and a transition in reactive oxygen species production from an ozone-dominated production regime below the turnover frequency to atomic-oxygen-dominated production at higher pulse rates. Here, we characterize atomic oxygen production scaling using spatially- and temporally-resolved two-photon absorption laser-induced-fluorescence (TALIF). Quantitative results are obtained via calibration with xenon using a similar laser excitation and collection system. These results are compared with quantitative ozone and discharge power measurements using a helium gas flow with oxygen admixtures up to 3\%.

Authors

  • Brian Sands

    UES, Inc. (AFRL)

  • Jacob Schmidt

    Spectral Energies, LLC. (AFRL)

  • Biswa Ganguly

    UES, Inc. (AFRL)

  • James Scofield

    Air Force Research Laboratory