Measurement of Forces on Millimeter-Sized Spherical Particles in a Surface DBD

In this work, the forces on millimeter-sized test spheres were measured to understand charging and field forces in a surface DBD. Spheres rolling on a tilted diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (Dcsbd) were observed to accelerate more slowly when the discharge was ignited. Additionally, a force towards the surface was measured. By modeling the rolling dynamics, the lower acceleration can be explained by this force. The inhomogeneous electric field above the Dcsbd is responsible for this effect. The electric field pulls the spheres towards the electrodes via a polarization force. Electrostatic simulations of the observed situation reproduce the correct order of magnitude for this effect.