Adaptive Numerical Simulation of Streamer Propagation in Atmospheric Air

In this paper, we report on a 2D axissymmetric numerical model of the streamer-type discharge process in atmospheric air, as it can be implemented into COMSOL Multiphysics. The charge conserving Boltzmann drift-diffusion equations are solved in a logarithmic representation for improved numerical stability, whilst reducing the need for artificial diffusion terms. A charge density adaptive mesh is utilized and the calculation domain is reduced to the relevant dimensions for improved numerical performance. The calculation domain for the Poisson-equation is spatially extended as appropriate to the physical boundary conditions. Results of the so obtained numerical simulations of a nanosecond discharge are analyzed and compared with previously published experimental data.