High-voltage pulse modulated radio frequency generator for dielectric barrier discharge combined with ultra-fast high power pulse generator

Abstract Dielectric barrier discharge is the electrical discharge between two electrodes separated by an insulating dielectric barrier. The discharge process typically uses a high-voltage alternating current in the range of several kilohertz to several gigahertz. A high-frequency and high-power pulse generator is required to drive the discharge process through the capacitance load. There are two main techniques to implement this type of generator: the forced and resonant modes. This work demonstrates the implementation of a programmable digital circuit based on a digital signal controller and a full H-bridge that combines the two topologies and can be used as a controller for dielectric barrier discharge with varying capacitance and structure. We integrated an ultra-fast, high-resolution, and high-power pulse generator into a radio frequency generator to drive high-pressure, supersonic, pulsed valves. The excitation based on our DBD and the combined generator produces cold plasma beams. The controller generates discharge voltages of up to 5 kV, in pulses of 10 to 50 μs wide, at rates of up to 1 kHz, while the discharge frequency ranges are from 1 to 3 MHz under a capacitive load of 100 pF. The power generator applies a current pulse of up to 20 A and voltage of up to 150 V.