Transient characteristic analysis of dual-frequency dielectric barrier discharge based on numerical simulation

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) provides a method with great promise for producing cold plasma at atmospheric pressure environment. For both application-oriented and fundamental research, it is significant to explore the important plasma parameter characteristics and mechanisms in the dielectric barrier discharge system. This article mainly focuses on the numerical study of the influence of dual-frequency excitation on atmospheric DBD. The plasma fluid model is proposed and solved by finite element method to describe dual-frequency coupling to important plasma parameters and DBD evolution. Numerical results show that by appropriately applying high-frequency excitation on the DBD system with the original single low-frequency excitation, the nonlinear coupling between the two frequencies controls the process of ionization and energy deposition into plasma. With the increase in voltage amplitude and excitation frequency, the plasma density increases and the discharge in the device becomes more uniform. Under the condition of dual-frequency excitation, the result of internal pressure increase is different from that of single-frequency excitation, and the increase in internal pressure will promote the plasma discharge. The dual-frequency excitation source has higher energy consumption ratio than the single-frequency excitation source, making them have greater application prospects. This research can provide effective assistance for generating cold plasma and further studying the characteristics of dielectric barrier discharge.