Experimental study and simulation of a micro-discharge with limited cathode area

Thierry Dufour (1, 2, 3) , Lawrence J. Overzet (4) , Remi Dussart (1) , L. C. Pitchford (5) , N Sadeghi (6) , P Lefaucheux (1) , M Kulsreshath (1) , P Ranson (1)

1 GREMI - Groupe de recherches sur l'énergétique des milieux ionisés
2 SU - Sorbonne Université
3 LPP - Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas
4 PSAL - Plasma Science and Application Laboratory
5 CPAT - Centre de Physique des Plasmas de Toulouse
6 LAME-LIPhy - LAsers, Molécules et Environnement

We report in this paper simulation results and experimental measurements to characterize a micro-discharge generated in a single micro cavity device operating in helium. By spatially limiting the cathode surface area using a dielectric layer, we demonstrate the ability of the micro-discharge to work in a steady-state abnormal glow regime. The physical properties of this regime are discussed.

Domaines: Physique des plasmas [physics.plasm-ph]; Plasmas

Thierry Dufour, Lawrence J. Overzet, Remi Dussart, L. C. Pitchford, N Sadeghi, et al.. Experimental study and simulation of a micro-discharge with limited cathode area. The European Physical Journal D : Atomic, molecular, optical and plasma physics, 2010, 60, pp.565-574. ⟨10.1140/epjd/e2010-00273-6⟩. ⟨hal-01303159v2⟩