Model description of surface dielectric barrier discharges for flow control

This paper presents a study of the development of a surface dielectric barrier discharge in air under conditions similar to those of plasma actuators for flow control. The study is based on results from a 2D fluid model of the discharge in air that provides the space and time evolution of the charged particle densities, electric field and surface charges. The electrohydrodynamic (EHD) force associated with the momentum transfer from charged particles to neutral molecules in the volume above the dielectric layer is also deduced from the model. Results show that the EHD force is important not only during the positive part of the sinusoidal voltage cycle (i.e. when the electrode on top of the dielectric layer plays the role of the anode) but also during the negative part of the cycle (cathode on top of the dielectric layer). During the positive part of the cycle, the EHD force is due to the formation of a positive ion cloud that is periodically interrupted by high current breakdown. The EHD force during the negative part of the cycle is due to the development of a negative ion cloud that continuously grows during the successive high frequency current pulses that form in this regime.