Percolation Simulation of Laser-Guided Electrical Discharges

Akira Sasaki, Yasuaki Kishimoto, Eiichi Takahashi, Susumu Kato, Takashi Fujii, and Seiji Kanazawa

Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 075004 – Published 12 August 2010

Abstract

A three-dimensional simulation of laser-guided discharges based on percolation is presented. The model includes both local growth of a streamer due to the enhanced electric field at the streamer’s tip and propagation of a leader by remote ionization such as that caused by runaway electrons. The stochastic behavior of the discharge through a preformed plasma channel is reproduced by the calculation, which shows complex path with detouring and bifurcation. The probability of guiding is investigated with respect to the ionized, conductive fraction along the channel.

Received 3 March 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.075004

Authors & Affiliations

Akira Sasaki

Quantum Beam Science Directorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 8-1 Umemidai, Kizukawa-shi, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan

Yasuaki Kishimoto

Faculty of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Yoshidahonnmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

Eiichi Takahashi and Susumu Kato

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8568, Japan

Takashi Fujii

Electric Power Engineering Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 2-6-1 Nagasaka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 240-0196, Japan

Seiji Kanazawa