Modeling of Streamer Dynamics in Atmospheric-Pressure Air: Influence of Rise Time of Applied Voltage Pulse on Streamer Parameters

Results of simulation of positive streamer propagation in atmospheric air, obtained in the framework of a 2-D fluid model, at various rise times of applied voltage pulses are presented. It is shown that the variation of the rise time allows one to control the streamer characteristics: the streamer widths, propagation velocity, densities of charged and excited neutral species, and electric current. At very short (subnanosecond) rise times, it is possible to obtain wide streamers, carrying large currents and producing considerable amounts of reactive species.