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Abstract

In this paper we describe numerical investigations of breakdown waves concentrating on antiforce waves. We employed one-dimensional electron fluid dynamical equations for a luminous pulse wave propagating into a neutral gas region and subjected to an applied electric field. We assumed that the electrons were the main element in the propagation of the wave and that the electron gas partial pressure provided the driving force. These waves are considered to be shock fronted and are composed of two regions: the thin sheath region behind the shock front and the thicker quasi-neutral region following the sheath region. Our set of equations, known as the electron fluid dynamical (EFD) equations, is composed of the equations of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy coupled with Poisson's equation. For antiforce waves, we were able to successfully integrate the set of EFD equations through the sheath region using a set of initial boundary conditions at the wave front. By using values of electron gas temperature, electron number density, ionization rate, and also the existing conditions at the end of the sheath region as initial boundary values for the thermal region of the gas, we were able to integrate the electron fluid dynamical equations, modified for the thermal region of the gas, through that region. Our results satisfy the required conditions at the end of the sheath and quasi-neutral regions. The wave profiles for electric field, electron velocity, electron number density, electron gas temperature, and ionization rate within the sheath and quasi-neutral regions were determined.

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