Formation of the microscopic structure of high-voltage nanosecond diffuse discharges in sharply nonuniform geometry

The possibility of the development of ionization instability in the avalanche and plasma phases (of the long-wave and short-wave type, respectively) is demonstrated for high-voltage nanosecond discharges in sharply nonuniform geometry. Specific implementation is determined by the electric field distribution in the cathode region and by the emissivity of the cathode. The spatial structure of the discharge formed in both cases is self-similar.