Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) Lamp in Ne/Xe Mixture

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) are prized due to their excellent performance and their light emission in a UV band at low temperatures. Excimer lamps using DBDs filled with rare gas and under the atmospheric pressure are used in industry as VUV radiation sources or visible light sources in the presence of a phosphor. In this article, we report the experimental and theoretical investigations of Ne-50%/Xe-50% DBD, using a high voltage of 2 kV. The discharge was achieved and studied under the pressure of 250 mbar, at a frequency of 40 kHz. First, we have analyzed experimentally the electrical behavior of DBD Ne/Xe excilamp and have studied the temporal profile of total current density, discharge current density, applied voltage, plasma, and dielectric voltage. Then, we have compared the experimental electrical characteristics with a theoretical work. The computer model used is based on three modules: plasma chemistry, electrical circuit, and Boltzmann equation. The effect of applied voltage and gas pressure on the total current density measured is studied and discussed. Finally, we have simulated the Ne/Xe DBD with the same operating conditions of experience. The results of simulation illustrate the temporal variations of the discharge current density and applied voltage; the power deposited in the plasma by electrons and the species concentrations considered in the kinetic model. The total and partial lamp efficiencies are also investigated and discussed.