Electrical breakdown dynamics in an argon bubble submerged in conductive liquid for nanosecond pulsed discharges

Journal Article · 27 September 2023 · Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/acfb1b · OSTI ID:2006880

L Sponsel, Nicholas ; Gershman, Sophia ; Stapelmann, Katharina

Abstract This study delves into the dynamics of cold atmospheric plasma and their interaction within conductive solutions under the unique conditions of nanosecond pulsed discharges (22 kV peak voltage, 10 ns FWHM, 4.5 kV ns ⁻¹ rate-of-rise). The research focuses on the electrical response, breakdown, and discharge propagation in an argon bubble, submerged in a NaCl solution of varying conductivity. Full or partial discharges were observed at conductivities of 1.5 µ S cm ⁻¹ (deionized water) to 1.6 mS cm ⁻¹ , but no breakdown was observed at 11.0 mS cm ⁻¹ when reducing the electrode gap. It is demonstrated that at higher conductivity electric breakdown is observed only when the gas bubble comes into direct contact with the electrode and multiple emission nodes were observed at different timescales. These nodes expanded in the central region of the bubble over timescales longer than the initial high-voltage pulse. This work offers a temporal resolution of 2 ns exposure times over the first 30 ns of the initial voltage pulse, and insight into plasma formation over decaying reflected voltage oscillations over 200 ns.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-09CH11466
• OSTI ID: 2006880
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 2001013; OSTI ID: 2544230; OSTI ID: 2217305
• Journal Information: Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics Journal Issue: 50 Vol. 56; ISSN 0022-3727
• Publisher: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English