Steady-state leader breakdown. Nitrogen atmosphere

Physical arguments about the possible mechanism of formation of a leader channel are presented. A mathematical model describing steady-state leader breakdown is constructed. An algorithm for determining the propagation velocity, dimensions, and electric field in the streamer zone is developed. A numerical simulation of the channel formation stage in the plasma of a streamer zone a nitrogen atmosphere is performed. The dependence of the leader velocity on the potential is obtained. The tentative model proposed here can be used to describe the leader breakdown of a long gap at high positive potentials. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7842(98)00806-X].