Experimental and Numerical Characterization of Dielectric Barrier Discharge-Based Coaxial Kr/Cl2 Excilamp

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science 2023-12, Vol.51 (12), p.3531
• Main Authors: Bidawat, Surbhi, Sharma, Navin Kumar, Singh, Mahendra, Mishra, Alok, Lamba, Ram Prakash, Choyal, Yaduvendra, Udit Narayan Pal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chlorine; Dielectric barrier discharge; Excimers; Inactivation; Mixtures; Plasma chemistry; Qualitative analysis; Radiation
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2023.3337631

In this article, experimental and numerical characterization of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-based coaxial Kr/Cl2 excilamp excited by negative unipolar pulse has been carried out. The typical [Formula Omitted]–[Formula Omitted] characteristics have been measured, which is further utilized to determine the average power deposited in the excilamp. It is found that the average power of 11.4 W has been deposited in the excilamp filled with the Kr/Cl2 mixture in the proportion of 99:1 at 100 mbar, creating microdischarges within the discharge region. The discharge mode of the excilamp is observed to be filamentary in nature. The intense emission of the 222-nm radiation is clearly shown in the spectra due to the transition of KrCl* excimer from [Formula Omitted] to [Formula Omitted] state. The effect of different proportions of chlorine concentration (0.1%–5%) and total pressure of the Kr/Cl2 mixture (25–200 mbar) have been analyzed, which mainly influences the plasma chemistry during the discharge. It has been observed that a higher percentage of chlorine (1%–5%) with a total pressure range of 25–100-mbar results in a high peak intensity of 222-nm radiation. Other kinetic processes participating in excimer formation have also been analyzed by evaluating the density of electrons, Kr+, Kr[Formula Omitted], Cl−, and Kr* created during the pulsed discharge, which has principally contributed to the formation of KrCl*excimer. This qualitative analysis is very useful for the design and development of suitable 222-nm excimer sources required for the effective inactivation of viruses (coronaviruses), bacteria, and pathogens.