69 research outputs found
Propagation and Structure of Planar Streamer Fronts
Streamers often constitute the first stage of dielectric breakdown in strong
electric fields: a nonlinear ionization wave transforms a non-ionized medium
into a weakly ionized nonequilibrium plasma. New understanding of this old
phenomenon can be gained through modern concepts of (interfacial) pattern
formation. As a first step towards an effective interface description, we
determine the front width, solve the selection problem for planar fronts and
calculate their properties. Our results are in good agreement with many
features of recent three-dimensional numerical simulations.
In the present long paper, you find the physics of the model and the
interfacial approach further explained. As a first ingredient of this approach,
we here analyze planar fronts, their profile and velocity. We encounter a
selection problem, recall some knowledge about such problems and apply it to
planar streamer fronts. We make analytical predictions on the selected front
profile and velocity and confirm them numerically.
(abbreviated abstract)Comment: 23 pages, revtex, 14 ps file
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