Numerical Study on Atmospheric Pressure DBD in Helium: Single-breakdown and Multi-breakdown Discharges

A 1-D fluid model for homogenous Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) in helium is presented, aimed at unraveling the spatial-temporal characteristics of two basic discharge regimes: single-breakdown and multi-breakdown discharges. Discharge currents, gap voltages, charge densities, electron temperature and electric field profiles of the two regimes make it clear that these two regimes are qualitatively different. It is found that the multi-breakdown discharge has a more homogenous flux on dielectrics compared to the single-breakdown discharge.