Extended two-dimensional analysis of electrical breakdown between a wire and a plane

Abstract

The formation of a discharge between a wire and a plane has been simulated numerically through the development of large electron and positive ion number densities. When the number densities grow sufficiently large and equal a new region within the computational model is formed, within which the governing equations of the quasi-neutral region are solved for the common ion and electron number density and electric potential. Results for the temporal development of the quasi-neutral region, radial profiles of charged particle number density, electric potential, and electric field strength from discharge initiation to program termination are described. The quasi-neutral region is shown to develop first off of the discharge axis, above the wire-to-plane gap. Near the quasi-neutral region the electric field strength and electric potential are highly distorted and within the quasi-neutral region are greatly diminished.