Dynamics of positive and negative streamers in air in weak uniform electric fields

Abstract

The results of two-dimensional numerical simulation of single positive and negative streamer development in atmospheric air in weak uniform electric fields are presented. It is shown that the form of streamer channel and the rate of growth of streamer velocity with its length are determined by the magnitude and polarity of the applied field E/sub 0/. The difference between the parameters of positive and negative streamers decreases with the growth of E/sub 0/. The numerical results agree with the findings of the qualitative analysis of streamer dynamics.