Surface Wave Discharges Generated with Ar/He and Ar/N2 Gas Mixturesat Atmospheric Pressure

Abstract

This work is aimed at studying emission spectra and morphological characteristics of surface wave discharges generated with Ar/He and Ar/N2 gas mixtures at atmospheric pressure with powers ranging from 80 to 400 W. In both cases, power density is higher than that found with pure Ar, although these changes are due to different discharge features. Kinetic processes can be derived from the analysis of plasma-emitted spectra. We also provide evidence of variations in the external aspect of discharges (filamentation and contraction) related to changes in thermal conductivity in gas mixture.