Fast Nonequilibrium Plasma Thermalization in N_2-O_2 Mixtures at Different Pressures

摘要

The fractional electron power quickly transferred into heat in non-equilibrium plasmas was studied experimentally and theoretically in N_2:O_2 mixtures subjected to high electric fields. Measurements were performed in a nanosecond surface dielectric barrier discharge at various gas pressures. The processes that contribute towards the fast transfer of electron energy into thermal energy under the conditions considered were numerically simulated. Calculations were compared with measurements and the main channels of fast gas heating were analyzed at various gas pressures and compositions and at different electric fields.