Ionizing Potential Waves in Preionized Gases
Abstract
A theory is presented to describe the advance of ionizing potential waves in preionized gases in nonuniform fields. The theory is based on the use of similarity and related arguments to bypass complicated mathematics and derive scaling relationships for wave speed as a function of applied potential and degree of ionization. For uniform preionization wave speed is predicted to scale linearly with applied potential and weaker than linearly with degree of preionization. These predictions are shown to agree well with recent potential- wave measurements obtained in electrical discharge studies using lasers to preionize meter-long paths in atmospheric air. Modifications due to radially confined preionization, particle drift, and electrode and other effects are also discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA126286
Entities
People
- Richard F. Fernsler
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory