Ionization Waves in Electrical Breakdown of Gases

In the years since the book of Lozanskii and Firsov "The Theory of Spark" [1975] was published, a number of experimental and theoretical studies in the physics of electric breakdown in gases were conducted. As a result of these studies, the concept of a wavelike nature of breakdown initiated by single high-voltage electric pulses or by a constant electric field was confirmed. Theoretical models in which the concept of breakdown in a constant external field was developed were first exposed in the above-named book in the chapter "Development of a streamer regarded as an ionization wave," written by Rodin and Starostin. This book treats the initial stage of electric breakdown as a wave pro cess. The wavelike nature of the phenomena under consideration is pre sented for streamers and sliding discharges, for electric breakdown develop ment in long discharge tubes as well as in gas-filled gaps. Chapter 1 gives a qualitative consideration of phenomena determin ing the electric breakdown of gases. The experimental data and theoretical results are exposed and discussed with application to streamers, plane ion ization waves, breakdown waves in long tubes, and propagation of sliding discharges. The subject of this chapter may be considered as an area of applications of different theoretical models, formulas, and estimates that are presented in other chapters of the book.

Klappentext

The authors present a systematic theoretical treatment of phenomena that lead to electrical breakdown of gases and plasmas bounded by walls, including electron drift and impact ionization, diffusion, and photoionization. Starting with a review of breakdown waves in gas-filled gaps, the book continues with a discussion of the basic macroscopic equations, including the effects of the nonequilibrium kinetics of electrons and impact ionization. The authors then develop the theory of planar ionization waves, discussing conditions for the existence of waves, the formation of shocks, and the stability of stationary waves; they also discuss formation of solitary waves, nonlinear diffusion, mechanisms of propagation, and oscillations in the wake of an ionization wave. This work fills a gap in the Western literature by presenting details of Soviet and Russian results from the last decade.

Inhalt

1. Wave Phenomena Determining Discharge Development in Gas Gaps.- 1 Dynamics of Streamers.- 2 Ionization Waves in Discharge Tubes and in a Sliding Discharge Formation System.- 2. Macroscopic and Kinetic Description of a Weakly Ionized Gas in an Electric Field.- 1 Basic Macroscopic Equations.- 2 Local Approach for the Frequency of Impact Ionization.- 3. Theory of Plane Ionization Waves.- 1 Stationary Plane Electric Breakdown Waves.- 2 General Properties of Nonstationary Ionization Fronts.- 3 Dynamics of Formation of the Anode- and Cathode-Directed Waves from Initial Nonuniformities.- 4. Propagation of Ionizing Electric-Field Solitary Waves in Shielded Discharge Tubes with Preionization.- 1. Basic Equations and Assumptions.- 2 The Effect of the Surface Wave on the Formation of the Ionization Wave.- 3 Averaging Two-Dimensional Equations and Formulation of a Quasi-One-Dimensional Model.- 4 Numerical Simulation of Stationary Waves.- 5 Analytical Model of an Ionization Wave.- 6 Specialized Problems of the Theory of Breakdown Waves in Tubes with Preionization.- 5. Propagation of Electric Breakdown Waves Along a Gas-Dielectric Boundary With No Preionization.- 1 Breakdown Waves in Shielded Tubes Without Preionization.- 2 Propagation of a Sliding Discharge Front as an Ionization Wave.- 3 Slow Breakdown Waves in Shielded Tubes.- 4 Solitary Wave of an Electric Field as a Source of Runaway Electrons.- References.