volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

The non-equilibrium electron energy distribution function (EEDF) obtained via solving the Boltzmann equation is introduced into the fluid model, and the effects of the microwave frequency on the EEDF and air breakdown are investigated. Numerical simulations show that the breakdown threshold of the fluid model with the non-equilibrium EEDF agrees well with that of the reported experiments. The microwave frequency plays an important role on the shape of the non-equilibrium EEDF at low pressures. The breakdown time at the low pressures predicted by the Maxwellian EEDF is shorter than that from the non-equilibrium EEDF in low-frequency oscillating fields, while matches the latter in high-frequency oscillating fields.

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Dr. Pengcheng Zhao

Dr. Cheng Liao

Dr. Wenbin Lin

Dr. Ju Feng