Development of a nanosecond pulsed HV atmospheric pressure plasma source: preliminary assessment of its electrical characteristics and degree of thermal nonequilibrium

This paper discusses the development and characteristics of a distributed nanosecond-pulsed glow-like discharge plasma in air at atmospheric pressure. The produced pulse is of 6.4 kV with duration at half maximum of less than 80 ns, and an average pulse repetition frequency of 150 Hz. The discharge operates in air in a concentric electrode configuration. Spectroscopic studies are presented in order to assess the thermal characteristics of the plasma as well as its spatial characteristics. Electrical diagnostics are presented along with time averaged ICCD imaging of the radially distributed plasma. Although variations occur, it is found that the plasma has uniform vibrational and rotational temperatures across the inter electrode gap illustrating a high degree of disequilibrium in the plasma. Band head intensity analysis proves the existence of a negative glow in the near cathode region. Finally, the sensitivity of individual vibrational bands to vibrational and rotational temperatures is presented as a means to most accurately evaluate the uncertainty of spectrally determined temperatures.