STREAMER BREAKDOWN

MECHANISM
S. Venkatesh
 Concept of Streamer Mechanism and
Role of Space Charge
• Also called “Kanal” mechanism since the
process culminates into a channel (streamer)
of current flow from the electrodes
• The growth of charge carriers in an avalanche
in a uniform field E0 = V0/d is described by the
e∝d
 Valid only as long as the electrical field of the
space charges of electrons and ions can be
neglected compared to the external field (E0)
• Independently Raether and Meek & Leob observed
that observed that when the charge
concentration was higher than 106 but lower
than 108 the growth of an avalanche was
weakened
 Attributed to the effect/ role of space charge
 Due to the modification of the originally uniform
field E0 by the space charge field
 Space Charge Perspective for Breakdown
• For simplicity the space charge at the head of the avalanche is assumed
concentrated within a spherical volume, with the negative charge ahead because
of the higher electron mobility
• Field is enhanced in front of the head of the avalanche with field lines from the
anode terminating at the head
• Field between the electrons and the ions left behind reduces the applied field
• Field between the cathode and the positive ions is enhanced again
• If the carrier number in the avalanche reaches n  108 the space charge field
becomes of the same magnitude as the applied field and may lead to the initiation
of a streamer
 Space Charge Perspective for Breakdown

• Electron avalanche consists of fast electrons and slower positive ions. At

the point, where higher concentration of positive and negative charges
overlaps there combination processes occurs. Photons are then emitted
in different directions and absorbed by molecule causes
photoionization process and releasing of electrons.
• Photo electrons are then sources of new avalanches in front and
behind of primary avalanche, where the electrical strengths is higher
than the value of main field (at concentration of 108 electrons in the
head of avalanche are the electrical fields equal). The new avalanches
propagate much faster in the direction of electrical field which is
deformed by space discharge.
• After the primary avalanche is passed through the area between
electrodes the ionized channel remains
• Thus the main discharge then occurs.
 Growth and Propagation of Streamer Mechanism
• It has also been observed through measurement that the transformation from
avalanche to streamer generally takes place when the charge within the
avalanche head reaches a critical value

where Xc is the length of the avalanche path in field direction when it reaches
the critical size. If the gap length d < Xc, the initiation of streamer is unlikely
• Raether’s experimental investigation led to an empirical relation for the
streamer spark criterion

Er is the radial field due to space charge

E0 is the externally applied field
Now for transformation of avalanche into a streamer Er ≈ E

For a uniform field gap, breakdown voltage through streamer mechanism is obtained
on the assumption that the transition from avalanche to streamer occurs when the
avalanche has just crossed the gap
Growth and Propagation of Streamer Mechanism
• Meek suggested that the transition from avalanche to streamer takes place
when the radial field about the positive space charge in an electron
avalanche attains a value of the order of the externally applied field

x is the distance in cm which the avalanche has progressed

p the gas pressure in Torr
α the Townsend coefficient of ionization by electrons corresponding
E is the applied field
• Minimum breakdown voltage is assumed to correspond to the condition when the
avalanche has crossed the gap of length d and the space charge field Er approaches
the externally applied field
 Growth and Propagation of Streamer Mechanism

• Experimentally determined values of α/p and the corresponding E/p are used to
solve the above equation using trial and error method
• Values of α/p corresponding to E/p at a given pressure are chosen until the
equation is satisfied