Silício amorfo hidrogenado depositado por descarga luminescente tem adquirido posição de destaque entre os vários materiais foto-sensíveis, principalmente devido à sua fácil obtenção e versatilidade em propriedades. Neste trabalho, preparamos amostras de a-Si:H (Silício amorfo hidrogenado) utilizando o método de descarga de RF em atmosfera de gás SiH4, utilizando como substrato vidro e silício cristalino. As amostras depositadas sobre vidro foram utilizadas para estudo de formação de defeitos meta-estáveis no filme morfo devido a exposição à Raios-X. Os mecanismos de formação e recuperação dos defeitos foram analisados através do estudo da fotocondutividade, revelando a possível natureza de tais defeitos. Acreditamos que se trata da quebra de ligações Si-H e Si-Si, formando armadilhas para elétrons condutores. Analisamos a resposta espectral da fotocondutividade e absorção óptica, que forneceram informações a respeito do gap óptico do material. As amostras preparadas sobre c-Si foram utilizadas para a espectroscopia no infra-vermelho, onde analisamos o espectro das vibrações no material, bem como procuramos evidências da existência de hidrogênio molecular. / Hydrogenated amorphous silicon deposited by the glow discharge technique has been prominent among several photosensitive materials, mainly due to their easy obtention process and versatile properties. In this work, we have prepared hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) samples using the RF discharge method in SiH gaseous atmosphere. We have used glass and crystalline silicon as substrate. The samples which were deposited on glasses were used for the study on the creation of metastables defects in amorphous films due to X-Ray exposition. The creation and annealing process were analyzed through photoconductivity measurements which showed the possible origin of such defects. We believe that this behavior takes place due the breaking of Si-Si and Si-H bounds, which build up traps for free electrons. We have analyzed the photoconductivity spectral response and the optical absorption which give us information about the optical gap of this material. The samples which were prepared on crystalline silicon materials were used for infra-red spectroscopy, were we have analyzed the vibration spectra of a-Si:H, and also have been looking for evidences about the existence of molecular hydrogen.

The positive column of the oxygen and argon-oxygen direct current glow discharge was investigated using a fluid plasma model at pressures around hundreds of pascals and discharge currents from ten to forty miliampers. The model describes the infinitely long positive column in cylindrical discharge tube. It is based on the continuity equation for particle concentration with the collisional right hand side. The model utilises the drift-diffusion approximation of particle flux and the mean-electron-energy approximation for the description of the electron interaction. The radial profile of particle concentration and interaction with the glass wall of the discharge tube is taken into account. The model predicts the electric field and the particle concentration in the positive column. The simulation results were compared with the measured intensity of electric field strength in the oxygen and argon-oxygen mixture. The impact of discharge conditions, like the pressure and gas composition, on the properties of the positive column was investigated. The model confirmed that the strength of longitudinal electric field at medium pressures is about 40 V/cm in oxygen, molecular gas, and it is about 3 V/cm in argon, noble gas.

Study of plasma in the mixtures with molecular gas at wide pressure range Matěj Jan Morávek Abstract: The positive column of DC glow discharge sustained in oxygen and oxygen-nitrogen mixtures has been studied in two discharge tubes of the same shape made from different materials (Silica and Pyrex glass) for total pressures 650 - 2000 Pa and discharge currents up to 40 mA. Various parameters of the discharge - axial electric field strength, concentration of electrons and emission spectra - were studied with emphasis placed on transition region between low- and high-gradient form of the positive column. We have focused on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the differences in emission spectra for both particular forms and the transitional region between them. The impact of 1 % admixture of nitrogen was also studied.

No description available.

Electrical discharges with a variety of different forms (streamers, glow corona, leaders, etc.) broadly exist in nature and in industrial applications. Under certain conditions, one electrical discharge can be transformed into another form. This thesis is aimed to develop and use numerical simulation models in order to provide a better physical understanding of two of such transitions, namely the glow-to-streamer and the streamer-to-leader transitions in air. In the first part, the thesis includes the two-dimensional simulation of the glow-to-streamer transition under a fast changing background electric field. The simulation is performed with a fluid model taking into account electrons. An efficient semi-Lagrangian algorithm is proposed to solve the convection-dominated continuity equations present in the model. The condition required for the glow-to-streamer transition is evaluated and discussed. In order to enable such simulations for configurations with large interelectrode gaps and long simulation times, an efficient simplified model for glow corona discharges and their transition into streamers is also proposed. The second part of the thesis is dedicated to investigate the dynamics of the streamer-to-leader transition in long air gaps at atmospheric pressure. The transition is studied with a one-dimensional thermo-hydrodynamic model and a detailed kinetic scheme for N2/O2/H2O mixtures. In order to evaluate the effect of humidity, the kinetic scheme includes the most important reactions with the H2O molecule and its derivatives. The analysis includes the simulation of the corresponding streamer bursts, dark periods and aborted leaders that may occur prior to the inception of a stable leader. The comparison between the proposed model and the widely-used model of Gallimberti is also presented. / Elektriska urladdningar av olika former (streamers (från engelska), glöd-korona, ledare, etc.) förekommer i stor utsträckning i naturen och i industriella applikationer. Under vissa förhållanden kan en elektrisk urladdning omvandlas till en annan form av elektrisk urladdning. Denna avhandling syftar till att utveckla och använda numeriska simuleringsmodeller för att ge en bättre fysikalisk förståelse av två sådana övergångar, nämligen glöd-till-streamer- och streamer-till-ledar-övergångar, i luft. I den första delen, avhandlas en tvådimensionell simulering av glöd-till-streamer-övergången med ett hastigt föränderligt elektriskt fält i bakgrunden. Simuleringen utförs med en flödesmodell som tar hänsyn till elektronerna. En effektiv semi-Lagrangesk algoritm föreslås för att lösa de konvektionsdominerade kontinuitetsekvationerna i modellen. Vidare utvärderas och diskuteras förutsättningarna för glöd-till-streamer-övergången. För att möjliggöra sådana simuleringar i konfigurationer med stora elektrodavstånd och långa simuleringstider, föreslås också en effektiv och förenklad modell för glöd-korona-urladdningar samt deras övergång till streamers. Den andra delen av avhandlingen är tillägnad att undersöka dynamiken i streamer-till-ledar-övergångar över långa avstånd i luft, under atmosfäriskt tryck. Övergången studeras med en endimensionell termohydrodynamisk modell och en detaljerad kinetisk modell för blandningar av N2/O2/H2O. För att utvärdera effekten av luftfuktighet, innefattar den kinetiska modellen de viktigaste reaktionerna med H2O-molekylen och dess derivat. Analysen innefattar simuleringen av motsvarande streamer-kedjor, mörka perioder och avbrutna ledare som kan förekomma före starten av en stabil ledare. En jämförelse mellan den föreslagna modellen och den allmänt använda modellen av Gallimberti presenteras också. / <p>QC 20170418</p>

Apresentamos neste trabalho uma técnica alternativa para a obtenção de filmes finos de silício amorfo hidrogenado (&#945-Si:H). Nós depositamos &#945-Si:H em um sistema de deposição que utiliza descarga luminescente a baixas freqüências (60Hz). Para tanto, nós projetamos todo o reator para que este objetivo pudesse ser atingido. Os filmes obtidos por nós mostram propriedades ópticas e eletrônicas bastante próximas aquelas dos filmes produzidos pela técnica convencional de descarga luminescente a radiofreqüência (13,56 MHz). A temperatura do substrato ótima para a técnica de descarga luminescente a baixas freqüências está na faixa 150-170&#176C, em torno de 100&#176C menor do que aquela usada para radiofreqüência. Neste trabalho nós apresentamos medidas das propriedades dos filmes, incluindo condutividade no escuro, fotocondutividade, comprimento de difusão ambipolar, absorção no infra-vermelho, gap óptico, e densidade de defeitos de níveis profundos. Para realizar parte destas medidas, nós construímos sistemas experimentais de caracterização exclusivos para o &#945-Si:H. / In this work we present an alternative technique for producing hydrogenated amourphous silicon thin films (&#945-Si:H). We deposited &#945-Si:H in a low-frequency (60 Hz) glow-discharge deposition system. For this purpose, we designed completely the reactor. The films we produced show electronic and optical properties nearly equivalent to those of films prepared by the conventional radio-frequency (13,56 MHz) glow-discharge technique. The optimal substrate temperature for the low-frequency glow-discharge technique is 150-170&#176C, about 100&#176C lower than that radio-frequency. In this work, we report measurements of film properties, including dark conductivity, photoconductivity, ambipolar diffusion lenght, infrared absorption, optical band gap, and deep defect density. To do these measurements, we assembled experimental systems used to characterize &#945-Si:H.

Fluidos em uma descarga brilhante à pressão atmosférica usando uma barreira de dielétrico DBD atraiu o interesse das comunidades de termo-dinâmica, fluido-dinâmica, e comunidades de controle. Este trabalho investiga os efeitos de um atuador de plasma operando numa voltagem e frequência de 8 kV e 4.4 kHz sobre a curva do Cp de um cilindro de PVC em baixa velocidade de escoamento. O experimento foi repetido com o atuador em vários ângulos no cilindro. Os resultados mostram uma aceleração do escoamento junto com um atraso da separação. Esses efeitos são maiores quando o atuador é posicionado num ângulo mais próximo da região da separação. / Fluids in a dielectric barrier DBD glow discharge at atmospheric pressure attracted the interest of the communities of thermo and fluid dynamics as well as control. This dissertation investigates the effects of a plasma actuator operating at 8 kV and 4.4 kHz, on the Cp curve of a PVC cylinder in a low velocity airflow. The experiment was repeated with the actuator at various angles. The results show an acceleration of the flow accompanied with a delay of the flow separation. These effects were shown to be larger when the actuator was positioned at an angle closer to the region of separation.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T19:26:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruna Corina Kurelo.pdf: 9097435 bytes, checksum: 9e2ea56fd2dfc2427ab47a5b071d8244 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nitriding by glow discharge (DL) and a new technique called luminous glow discharge with cathodic cage (DLGC) were techniques widely employed today for surface treatment. In the present work were investigated nanoscale tribo-mechanical properties of three grades:austenitic stainless steel (AISI 316), Martensitic (AISI 420) and supermartensitic (HP13Cr) subjected to treatments by DL and DLGC techniques. Martensitic steels have been previously heat-treated in 1025 C (AISI 420) and 1100C (HP13Cr) with subsequent rapid cooling in oil. The three classes of steels have been nitrided using the following parameters of temperature – time : 350 C/6 h, 400 C/6 h e 450 C/6 h (to DL and DLGC). The nitriding treatments were held in atmospheres of N2/H2 in the proportions of 20 %-80 % (in volume) to DL and 80 %-20 % (in volume) to DLGC. For the characterization of the samples were employed the techniques of x-ray diffraction (DRX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS). The mechanical properties were evaluated by instrumented indentation (II), and, with the same equipment, the nano scratch tests. In the samples treated by DL the temperature influence the formation of different stages (γN or αN, γ'-Fe4N, ε-Fe2 + xN, CrN). In the treatments carried out at low temperature (350 C) the predominant phase formed is γN to austenitic steel AISI 316 and phases γ' and ε for martensitic steels HP13Cr and AISI 420, due to difference in solubility and diffusivity of nitrogen in the austenite and martensite phases.Nitriding treatments by DL cause the effect of chromium depletion to all steels in the temperature of 450°C. To DLGC treatments occurs the formation of ε phase regardless of temperature. By this way higher temperatures favor the formation of the phases γN and αN. In treatments by DLGC, hardness of the deposited layer measured by II remained, regardless of steel, next to that of the reference sample. The hardness of the modified layers existing below the films produced by DLGC is next the hardness of the layers produced by DL but no border effect and low roughness. In treatments by DL, the hardness increased from 2,5 GPa up to 15,5 GPa for steel AISI 316. The estimated thicknesses of modified surfaces treated by DL are superior to those of the layers deposited and modified by DLGC at same parameters. The scratch resistance of modified surfaces by DL increases to any conditions of treatment. The greatest value of critical load of scratch resistance obtained (126.7 ± 32.1 mN) for the layers deposited by DLGC is too low for typical applications expected of these steels. However, further analyzes are necessary in the modified layer to check the applicability of this technique for these steels.The conditions of excellence found for DL technique can provide an increase in the useful life of the parts treated in the media, where they are employed that require good mechanical and tribological properties. / Dentre as várias técnicas empregadas na atualidade para tratamento de superfícies, destaca-se a nitretação por Descarga Luminosa (DL) e uma nova técnica denominada nitretação iônica por DL com Gaiola Catódica (DLGC). No presente trabalho investiga-se as propriedades tribo-mecânicas em nanoescala de três classes de aços inoxidáveis: austenítico (AISI 316), martensítico (AISI 420) e supermartensítico (HP13Cr) submetidos a tratamentos pelas técnicas de DL e DLGC. Os aços martensíticos foram previamente tratados termicamente em 1025 °C (AISI 420) e 1100 °C (HP13Cr) com posterior resfriamento rápido em óleo. Os três aços foram nitretados nas seguintes condições de temperatura/tempo: 350 °C/6 h, 400 °C/6 h e 450 °C/6 h (DL e DLGC). As nitretações foram realizadas em atmosferas de N2/H2 nas proporções de 20 %-80 % para DL e 80 %-20 % para DLGC. As superfícies foram caracterizadas pelas técnicas de difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microscopia de força atômica (MFA) e espectroscopia de raios X por energia dispersiva (EDS). As propriedades mecânicas foram avaliadas por indentação instrumentada (II), e, com o mesmo equipamento, realizaram-se os ensaios de nanorisco. Na técnica de DL ocorre influência da temperatura de tratamento na formação das diferentes fases (γN ou αN, γ’-Fe4N, ε- Fe2+xN, CrN); nos tratamentos realizados a baixa temperatura (350 °C) predomina a formação da fase γN para o aço austenítico AISI 316 e das fases γ’ e ε para os aços HP13Cr e AISI 420, de estrutura martensítica, devido a diferença de solubilidade e difusividade de nitrogênio nas diferentes fases austenita e martensita. Os tratamentos de nitretação por DL causam o efeito da depleção do cromo em quaisquer dos aços na temperatura de 450 C. Nos tratamentos por DLGC ocorre a formação da fase independentemente da temperatura. Entretanto temperaturas mais altas propiciam a formação das fases γN e αN. Nos tratamentos por DLGC, a dureza da camada depositada medida por II permaneceu, independentemente do aço, próxima à da amostra de eeferência. A dureza das camadas modificadas existentes abaixo dos filmes produzidos por DLGC é próxima a dureza das camadas produzidas por DL mas sem efeito de borda e com baixa rugosidade. Nos tratamentos por DL, a dureza elevou-se de 2,5 GPa a até 15,5 GPa para o aço AISI 316. As espessuras estimadas para as camadas modificadas de amostras tratadas por DL são superiores às das camadas depositadas e modificadas de amostras tratadas por DLGC nos mesmos parâmetros. A resistência ao risco das superfícies modificadas por DL aumenta para quaisquer condições de tratamento. O maior valor de carga crítica de resistência ao risco (126,7 ± 32,1 mN) obtido para as camadas depositadas por DLGC é um valor muito baixo para as aplicações típicas esperadas desses aços. No entanto, são necessárias análises complementares na camada modificada para verificar a aplicabilidade dessa técnica para estes aços. As condições de excelência encontradas para a técnica de DL podem proporcionar um aumento da vida útil das peças tratadas nos meios onde são empregadas que exigem boas propriedades mecânicas e tribológicas.

In the aerospace industry, gas discharges have gained importance with the exploration of their performance and capabilities for flow control and combustion. Tunable properties of plasma make gas discharges efficient tools for various purposes. Since the scales of plasma and the available technology limit the knowledge gained from experimental studies, computational studies are essential to understand the results of experimental studies. The temporal and spatial scales of plasma also restrict the numerical studies. It is a necessity to use an idealized model, in which enough physics is captured, while the computational costs are acceptable.<br><br>In this work, numerical simulations of different low-pressure gas discharges are presented with a detailed analysis of the numerical approach. A one moment model is employed for DC glow discharges and nanosecond-pulse discharges. The cheap-est method regarding the modeling and simulation costs is chosen by checking the requirements of the fundamental processes of gas discharges. The verification of one-moment 1-D glow discharges with constant electron temperature variation is achieved by comparing other computational results.<br><br>The one moment model for pulse discharge simulation aims to capture the information from the experimental data for low-pressure argon discharges. Since the constant temperature assumption is crude, the local field approximation is investigated to obtain the data for electron temperature. It was observed that experimental data and computational data do not match because of the stagnant decay of electron number densities and temperatures. At the suggestion of the experimental group, water vapor was added as an impurity to the plasma chemistry. Although there was an improvement with the addition of water vapor, the results were still not in good agreement with experiment.<br><br>The applicability of the local field approximation was investigated, and non-local effects were included in the context of an averaged energy equation. A 0-D electron temperature equation was employed with the collision frequencies obtained from the local field approximation. It was observed that the shape of the decay profiles matched with the experimental data. The number densities; however, are less almost an order of magnitude.<br><br>As a final step, the two-moment model, one-moment model plus thermal electron energy equation, was solved to involve non-local effects. The two-moment model allows capturing of non-local effects and improves agreement with the experimental data. Overall, it was observed that non-local regions dominate low-pressure pulsed discharges. The local field approximation is not adequate to solve these types of discharges.

The properties of materials, especially of solids, can be attributed mainly to the phenomena occurring at the surface. Surface engineering deals with altering the surface properties of materials to realize useful functionalities like wear and corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, hardening etc. Among the various methods adopted, plasma surface modification stands out, because of the inherent dry processing nature and little amount of left over chemicals. In conventional plasma systems, the process is carried out in a low pressure environment. This restricts its use in treating vacuum incompatible materials including tissues and bio-medical samples. Moreover, the batch processing nature and use of expensive vacuum pumps put a bottle-neck in the throughput of any production line. The subject matter of this thesis is about developing and optimizing an atmospheric pressure (760 torr) plasma system and to use it for surface modification of polymers. The experimental system developed, consists of two parallel electrodes facing each other, each of which is covered with a dielectric plate. A gap of 4mm exists between the dielectric surfaces, through which an axial flow of the working gas is maintained. When a high voltage is applied across the electrodes, the gas breaks down, creating plasma. The surface of the sample kept in this plasma, undergoes various phenomena, depending on the power applied, type of gas used and gas flow rate. To drive the plasma a high voltage power supply, which is able to generate 10 kV at 5.8 kHz, was developed in the laboratory. By varying the process parameters, the inherent filamentary nature of discharge can be converted to a diffuse uniform glow. The purity of plasma was studied and established by analyzing the optical emission from the plasma. After optimizing the system, it was used to modify the surface properties of polyester sheets. The wetting nature was altered using fluorocarbon and oxygen plasmas, realizing hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. The contact angle of a water droplet made with the surface changed from 72° to 84° degree for hydrophobic and to 22° for hydrophilic surfaces respectively. Through this investigation, an insight to the procedure for developing an Atmospheric glow discharge system was developed. The details about system frame work, the power supply, electrical and optical characterization of the plasma, are well studied and recorded. The work establishes the various parameters to be varied to convert the filamentary discharge to a uniform glow. Purity of the plasma has been studied extensively and the system design and process values essential for maintaining the purity have been dealt with. Finally the plasma was put in use for surface modification of polymers, and the surface wetting nature alteration was studied and quantified.