Quantification of surface charging memory effect in ionization wave dynamics.

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Surface Science

Background:

• Ionization waves (IWs) are crucial in atmospheric pressure discharges.
• IW dynamics depend on electric polarity and memory effects from residual charges and species.
• Pulsed plasma jets are increasingly used in various applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare positive and negative ionization waves (IWs) in pulsed plasma jets.
• To investigate the interaction of IWs with a dielectric target.
• To demonstrate and quantify a surface charging memory effect in dielectric targets.

Main Methods:

• Utilized pulsed plasma jets with specific on-time (1 µs) and off-time (200 µs).
• Employed Mueller polarimetry to assess the electric field within the dielectric BSO target.
• Combined experimental Mueller polarimetry with advanced numerical simulations.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a significant surface charging memory effect in the dielectric target between discharge pulses.
• Showed that this memory effect directly influences IW dynamics, particularly for negative polarity.
• Identified the lack of charged particle neutralization near the target as the cause of residual surface charges.

Conclusions:

• The study reveals a novel surface charging memory effect in dielectric targets interacting with pulsed plasma jets.
• This memory effect is polarity-dependent and crucial for understanding IW behavior, especially under negative electric polarity.
• The combined Mueller polarimetry and simulation approach enables unprecedented quantification of electric fields and memory effects in dielectrics.