Realistic geometric modeling of the dielectric constant and its effect on the discharge with a porous dielectric

Porous dielectric discharge (PDD) is a critical phenomenon in plasma catalysis, biomedical tissue surface functionalization, and all-solid-state battery design. The dielectric constant of porous dielectric (PD) significantly impacts discharge characteristics and breakdown mechanisms across different applications. However, the complex spatial structure of porous media presents challenges in diagnosing and simulating PDD, limiting our understanding of its mechanism. In this study, the real geometric model of PD obtained from x-ray computed tomography (X-Ray-μ CT) and a two-dimensional fluid model were used to simulate and analyze the effect of dielectric constant on PDD-plasma characteristics, especially the generation and disappearance of charged particles. The simulation results reveal the following: (1) At the breakdown moment, PDD is a density-unbalanced discharge where the electron density is two orders of magnitude higher than the ion density; (2) The breakdown discharge follows the most accessible channel instead of filling the entire gap, which is guided by the electron temperature gradient; and (3) It was first discovered that the breakdown voltage exhibits a saturated growth curve under the control of the dielectric constant. By combining these mechanisms, a comprehensive explanation has been provided for this phenomenon. This study offers a robust simulation and theoretical basis for understanding the breakdown characteristics of PDD.