Studies on the configurations of nanosecond DBD pulse plasma actuators

A conventional straight dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator and a comb-shape DBD actuator driven by a high voltage nanosecond pulse were experimentally studied. The electric characteristics of the actuators were measured using a high voltage probe and a current shunt. The shock wave generated by the pulsed plasma was captured using a phaselocked Schlieren imaging technique. Different from the straight DBD actuator, the comb-shape DBD actuator shows a distinct formation of shock wave. These shock waves are generated from the plasma occurred only at the tips of the actuator. This implies that the layouts of the DBD actuators affect the electric potential between the exposed and covered electrodes, leading to various formations of shock wave. Thus different configurations of the nanosecond DBD actuators need to be considered when they are used for different applications in flow control.