Characteristics of kilohertz-ignited, radio-frequency atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharges in argon

In this letter, ignited by a kilohertz atmospheric-pressure dielectric-barrier discharge (APDBD), the stable and uniform argon radio-frequency (rf) APDBDs are generated with lower rf ignition voltages compared to the conventional rf APDBDs without the aid of the kilohertz filamentary discharges. The experimental studies on the mechanisms of this dual-frequency APDBD method indicate that it is the filaments extending from the kilohertz electrode region to the rf electrode region that provide the seed electrons for the ignition of the rf APDBDs at the lower applied rf voltages. A 12-mm-long stable and uniform argon plasma jet is obtained using the coaxial-type plasma generator.