Electrical & Computer Engineering, Department of
Date of this Version
February 2002
Abstract
Empirical data on streamer formation and propagation in near-atmospheric pressure N2 and N2/O2mixtures are presented. The data were obtained primarily from high-speed, high-sensitivity shutter and streak photography of streamers produced in a ≈13 cm gap. The streamer propagation velocity as a function of applied voltage, polarity, total pressure, and O2 concentration are provided. In addition, information on streamer bifurcation, and streamer shape and size is included.
The breakdown process has two phases: a fast phase featuring the propagation of streamers, and much slower phase involving the heating of the gas to form the spark channel. Also we found that the addition of O2 significantly alters the streamer characteristics and behavior, indicating that photoionization processes play an important role.
Comments
Published in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics 35:3 (February 7, 2002), pp. 205-218; doi 10.1088/0022-3727/35/3/308 Copyright © 2001 IOP Publishing. Used by permission.