In this paper, we report on results from a computational investigation of nanosecond pulsed surface discharges of positive and negative polarity using a 2D fluid and fluid-Monte Carlo simulation. The streamers propagate along the dielectric surface in an asymmetric actuator geometry. The essential difference between the streamers of positive and negative polarities is observed. For positive polarity the intense sheath region is formed near the surface having high values of the electric field. The negative streamer has a lower field at the streamer front and in the sheath region. The disparity between the positive and negative surface streamers increases when electron Monte Carlo simulation is used that treats the energetic secondary electrons in a fully kinetic way. We also found that for a negative polarity applied to the exposed electrode, a thin layer of precursor electrons ahead of a streamer is formed having a shape of a narrow protruding needle. The effect is attributed to the production and trapping of fast secondary electrons in the narrow anodic sheath region.

In this paper, we present the results from the computational study of the two competing mechanisms of precursor electrons production—conventional photoionization and preionization by fast electrons from the cathode. To discriminate between the two mechanisms we simulate a negative streamer evolution under conditions when photoionization is zero/non-zero and/or fast electrons are present/absent. In the absence of all factors producing the precursor electrons the streamer eventually stalls. We show that the effect of fast electrons on streamer evolution is similar to that of the photoionization but it is more stochastic by nature. The domination of one or another of the mechanisms considered depends on the pulse duration and voltage amplitude (other conditions being equal).

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Pyrometric and spectroscopic investigations of lanthanated tungsten cathode in argon arc plasma discharge at atmospheric pressure are reported. The distribution of the surface cathode temperature was measured. Calculations and estimates of the emission current density are performed. Experimental data of the total current density are compared with the obtained results of estimation. The possible reasons for the discrepancy between the experimental and theoretical values of the total current were discussed.