Initiation and propagation of negative streamer discharge in nitrogen gas: Effect of the applied electric field

Controlling streamer formation is necessary for various applications. Here we illustrate the results of variations in the applied electric field. The findings of numerical simulations of nitrogen negative streamers in a variety of electric fields at atmospheric pressure are presented. A cathode and anode separated by a distance of 2 mm were considered for streamer growth. In order to determine the minimum field needed for streamer initiation, for different magnitudes of the applied electric fields: 50, 55, 60 and 65 kV/cm, the parameters of the plasma within the streamers were analyzed according to the time evolution, such as the electrons and ions density, the electric field, the space charge, the mean energy and the drift velocity.