Peculiarities of Dielectric Barrier Discharges

The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is a highly transient, non‐thermal discharge form, which exists in a broad pressure range. It occurs in arrangements, where a dielectric layer covers at least one electrode. The dielectric quenches the current and distributes the discharge over the whole surface. Depending on the geometrical conditions three basic types of DBD arrangements are distinguished. In arrangements with a gas gap a filamentary or a homogeneous‐diffuse discharge mode appears. The (stable) filamentary mode consists of a multitude of microdischarges, which in some extent can be rather easily tailored for e. g. plasma‐chemical applications. In arrangements with a long electrode (or several in parallel) on a dielectric surface and a plane counter‐electrode on the reverse side of the dielectric, pure surface discharges can be observed. They are characterised by low ignition voltages. The extension of the discharge on the surface depends on the voltage amplitude. If pairs of long electrodes are within the bulk of a dielectric, discharge phenomena appear on the surface of the dielectric. As these devices can be produced with small and precise electrode gaps, high mean field strengths in the discharge region can be realised. The properties of the discharges in these arrangements as well as their dynamics are described in detail and compared with one another. The advantages of each type are highlighted. Some aspects, which may be of interest for plasma‐chemical reactions on surfaces and in the gas space are discussed.