Experimental and theoretical study of an atmospheric air plasma-jet

Abstract

In this work, we present an experimental and theoretical study of a low frequency, atmospheric plasma-jet discharge in air. Voltage-current characteristics and spectroscopic data were experimentally obtained, and a theoretical model developed to gain information of different aspects of the discharge. The discharge is modeled as a cathode layer with different mechanisms of electron emission and a main discharge channel that includes the most important kinetic reactions and species. From the electric measurements, it is determined that high electric field magnitudes are attained in the main channel, depending on the gas flow rate. Using the voltage-current characteristics as an input, the model allows to determine the plasma state in the discharge, including electron, gas, and molecular nitrogen vibrational temperatures. The model also allows to infer the mechanisms of secondary electron emission that sustain the discharge.