Influence of gap width on discharge asymmetry in atmospheric pressure glow dielectric barrier discharges

In this letter, a one-dimensional fluid model is used to investigate the mechanism of discharge asymmetry in atmospheric pressure helium glowdielectric barrier discharges (GDBDs). By observing the evolutionary process between the successive peak currents, the effect of the gap width on the discharge asymmetry is thoroughly discussed. It is shown that when the gap width is too large, the very severe nonuniformity of electric field distribution over the gas gap leads to the discharge asymmetry.