Numerical simulation of corona discharge in N2

A numerical study of a negative corona discharge in nitrogen in a point-plane gap using a Monte Carlo method is presented. The simulation provides a detailed structure of avalanches, propagation of successive avalanches and ion distribution can be discerned. The development of electron avalanches is due to ionization and photoionization in the high-field region, while the quenching of the avalanches is due to the low electric field near the plane electrode. Also the accumulation of electrons and positive ions are displayed in detail. The space charge field distortion is studied.