Shunt-induced high frequency excitation of dielectric barrier discharges

摘要

An ionizing discharge device operating arrangement wherein initiation of discharges in for example a dielectric barrier discharge device is accomplished by a short circuit shunting of the charged electrodes of the device. A cycle of slow charging of the device inter-electrode capacitance followed by a high-speed electrode-shunting event is used for continuing operation of the device. In this operating cycle energy storage is accomplished by the inter-electrode capacitance of the device without causing ionization by way of a controlled rate of capacitance charging accomplished without assistance of additional storage elements. Desirable fast pulse rise-time energization characteristics are achieved in the dielectric barrier discharge device by way of using a fast, preferably electronic, switch in the shunting operation and maintaining the discharge in a circuit of relatively low inductance and minimal lead lengths.