Particle-in-Cell/Monte Carlo Simulation of Positive Streamers With Photoionization Model

A positive streamer in a strong electric field in air at 1-atm pressure is investigated with particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision method including a photoionization model. The simulation results of streamer discharge in parallel plate air gap with and without the photoionization model are compared. It is shown that the seed electrons produced by photoionization generate secondary avalanches which lead to the formation of the streamer. No streamer is observed without photoionization model.