The development of new computational models of gas breakdown for use in particle-in-cell (PIC) codes is described. These modeling efforts include fundamental processes associated with the breakdown of high pressure gases and represent key components in the comprehensive study of the physics of high-pressure gas switches. Two computational algorithms are discussed; a Monte Carlo type collision (MCC) model whereby PIC macro-particles undergo random elastic and inelastic interactions, and a semi-fluid scattering model.A newly implemented attachment algorithm, important for electronegative gases such as SF 6 , has been developed. Cross-section compilations for H 2 and SF 6 for use in the MCC algorithm are summarized along with the modeling assumptions used to make this model computationally tractable. The results of detailed swarm calculations using these cross-sections are presented along with comparisons to experimental data.An implicit semi-fluid collision PIC model is used to carry out the streamer simulations. These simulations track the formation and evolution of a streamer from a small seed electron population in different applied electric fields. The results of H 2 and SF 6 streamer simulations are discussed, including comparisons between the semi-fluid and MCC model for streamer formation and evolution in H 2 .
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