Time-resolved imaging of spatiotemporal patterns in a one-dimensional dielectric-barrier discharge system - art. no. 026402

A makeshift streak camera produces time-resolved images of filament pattern s in a one-dimensional dielectric-barrier discharge system. The images reve al a variety of spatial and temporal structures, including temporally disti nct discharge stages that occur at specific phases of the 12.5 kHz driving oscillation and spatially periodic filament arrays that are generated durin g the discharge stages. The data answer recent questions regarding time-ave raged images of a similar system. Most notably, all but the simplest time-a veraged ima-es are due to the integration of multiple filament patterns gen erated in different discharge stages. Disordered states of the system are a lso examined. Some of these are spatially disordered but display temporal s tructure; others appear to lack both spatial and temporal order. Possibilit ies are suggested for investigations of surface-charge spreading and patter n stability in similar systems.