Negative-polarity fast ionization wave in molecular gases: electric field, electron density, and energy branching

The linear density of a charge, the longitudinal component of the electrical filed, the concentration of electrons beyond the high-speed wave front of ionization induced by the negative polarity voltage nanosecond pulse in the air, N2 and H2 within 1-24 Torr pressure range were restored. The electron concentration beyond the wave front was shown to depend slightly on the gas type and at high pressures (8-24 Torr) was shown to constitute (2-3)x1012 cm-3. The energy contribution into the freedom internal degrees was analyzed. It was shown that in all the examined gases the bulk of the energy (40-60 %) within the whole pressure range goes into excitation of the electron degrees of gas freedom