Numerical simulation of streamer–cathode interaction

A self‐consistent fluid model has been used to analyze streamer arrival at the cathode and its transformation to the stationary cathode fall in a positive point–to–plane corona discharge in N2 at 26.7 kPa. The model is based on a description of the electron and the ion kinetics by one‐dimensional continuity equations coupled with Poisson’s equation. The ions and electrons are assumed to be limited to a cylindrical channel with fixed radius and the field is computed using the method of disks. The computed current induced by the streamer–cathode interaction with a small cathode probe is compared with that measured experimentally. The cathode probe signal consists of an initial sharp current spike due to the displacement current followed, some 20 ns later, by a lower current hump due to the ion arrival at the cathode. The current signal is relatively insensitive to changes in the secondary electron emission coefficients. The results obtained indicate that the intense ionization and associated light flash exp...

[1]  J. Boeuf,et al.  Cathode sheath formation in a discharge-sustained XeCl laser , 1993 .

[2]  H. Raether,et al.  Spatial and temporal spectroscopy of a streamer discharge in nitrogen , 1977 .

[3]  C. S. Davies,et al.  Computer simulation of rapidly developing gaseous discharges , 1971 .

[4]  P. Williams,et al.  Two‐dimensional studies of streamers in gases , 1987 .

[5]  M. Goldman,et al.  The temporal behaviour of emission from excited metal atoms in the cathode region of a pulsed discharge in air , 1977 .

[6]  E. Marode,et al.  The scaling of the streamer-to-arc transition in a positive point-to-plane gap with pressure , 1992 .

[7]  Gerhard J. Pietsch,et al.  Two-dimensional modelling of the dielectric barrier discharge in air , 1992 .

[8]  J. Meek,et al.  Electrical breakdown of gases , 1953 .

[9]  Phelps,et al.  Anisotropic scattering of electrons by N2 and its effect on electron transport. , 1985, Physical review. A, General physics.

[10]  M. Černák,et al.  Numerical modeling of the streamer-cathode interaction in a short positive point-plane corona gap , 1992 .

[12]  M. Elta,et al.  Large‐signal time‐domain modeling of low‐pressure rf glow discharges , 1987 .

[13]  N. Sato.  Discharge current induced by the motion of charged particles , 1980 .

[14]  Keiichi Kondo,et al.  SPATIO-TEMPORAL GAS TEMPERATURE RISE IN REPETITIVE POSITIVE STREAMER CORONA IN AIR , 1990 .

[15]  V. Veldhuizen,et al.  Diagnostic techniques for atmospheric streamer discharges , 1994 .

[16]  R. S. Sigmond.  The residual streamer channel: Return strokes and secondary streamers , 1984 .

[17]  R. Morrow.  Theory of positive corona in SF/sub 6/ due to a voltage impulse , 1991 .

[18]  F. Bastien,et al.  The determination of basic quantities during glow-to-arc transition in a positive point-to-plane discharge , 1979 .

[19]  B. Penetrante,et al.  Non-Thermal Plasma Techniques for Pollution Control , 1993 .

[20]  G. A. Dawson,et al.  A model for streamer propagation , 1965 .

[21]  David J. Rose,et al.  Basic Processes of Gaseous Electronics , 1956 .

[22]  W. Legler.  Anregung von UV-Strahlung in Stickstoff und Wasserstoff durch einen Elektronenschwarm , 1963 .

[23]  F. Bastien,et al.  Fine structure of streamers , 1989 .

[24]  Essam Nasser.  Role of the Cathode Field Emission in the Streamer‐Spark Transition , 1966 .

[25]  J. Boeuf,et al.  Numerical model of rf glow discharges. , 1987, Physical review. A, General physics.