Abstract: The microdischarges generated inside porous ceramics by AC high voltage represent a novel way to create stable atmospheric pressure plasmas. The physical characteristics of discharge in porous ceramics were investigated by photographic visualization and electrical measurements. Experimental results show that the surface discharge is not converted into pore microdischarges, and the onset voltage of pore microdischarges increases with the thickness of ceramics, while significantly decreasing with increasing porosity of ceramics.

Key words: microdischarge, porous ceramics, surface discharge, non-thermal plasma