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Numerical analysis of stepwise ionization in a self-sustaining bulk discharge in nitrogen

Journal Article · · Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5295419
A kinetic model is developed which treats stepwise ionization of nitrogen via the A/sup 3/..sigma../sub u//sup +/ and B/sup 3/Pi/sub g/ excited electronic states. The model is used to calculate the ionization in a self-sustaining pulsed bulk discharge in nitrogen (E/N = (10--15) x 10/sup -16/ V x cm/sup 2/, pulse length tauapprox. =10/sup -7/ s) and to find the threshold characteristics for the onset of ionization. The results show that stepwise ionization begins at times t/sub thr/ = 525--40 ns for corresponding energy inputs E/sub thr/ = (1.28--1.51) x 10/sup -3/ J/cm/sup 3/, respectively, for self-sustaining nitrogen discharges at atmospheric pressure when E/N = (10--15) x 10/sup -16/ Vx cm/sup 2/. The A/sup 3/..sigma../sub u//sup +/ and B/sup 3/..pi../sub g/ states are both important in the ionization kinetics.
Research Organization:
Institute of Cybernetics, Academy of Sciences of the Georgian SSR, Tbilisi
OSTI ID:
5295419
Journal Information:
Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 30:3; ISSN SPTPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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