Ignition-area extension of dielectric barrier discharge under high temperature

Abstract We discovered that the ignition area of a planar dielectric barrier discharge gradually extends beyond the area of the opposite electrode when the ambient temperature increases. Even with the opposite electrode the sectional area of which is less than 1 mm2, the discharge eventually ignites over the area of 225 mm2 at ca. 800 K. Several investigations indicate that the creeping discharge occurring around the opposite electrode is not the cause for the extension phenomenon.