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Control of filament distribution and enhancement of plasma properties in a dielectric barrier discharge using a metal lattice sheet

Lifang Dong1, Cheng Li1, Xiaoxiu Qi1, Yunan He1, Yaohua Li1, and Yuyang Pan2,*

  • 1College of Physics Science & Technology, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, People's Republic of China
  • 2College of Quality & Technical Supervision, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, People's Republic of China

  • *Contact author: pyy1616@163.com
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Phys. Rev. E 114, 045204 – Published 9 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/4mcc-ksv9

Abstract

Effectively controlling the spatial distribution of filaments and improving their physical properties are crucial for advancing the applications of dielectric barrier discharge. In this work, we report a dielectric barrier discharge device to simultaneously regulate filament distribution and improve their physical properties by covering the dielectric surface with a metal lattice sheet. With increasing applied voltage, this structure gives rise to several stable filamentary patterns, including a three-dimensional pattern composed of normal filaments and trifurcated filaments with three branches extending along the metal grid. It is demonstrated that the extensions originate from the metal sheet by covering a vertex with a dielectric and replacing the metal sheet with a glass plate. The physical properties of two types of filaments are measured by using an intensified charge-coupled device, photomultiplier tubes, and optical emission spectroscopy. The results reveal that charge transport along the metal grid increases the electron density and prolongs the discharge duration. These findings provide a strategy for dielectric barrier discharge control and plasma structure engineering.

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Phys. Rev. E 114, 045204– Published 9 October, 2026
  • Received 30 August 2025
  • Accepted 10 September 2026
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