Kinetic Model of Volume Discharge Formation on the Left Branch of a Paschen Curve with Cathode Initiation of a Breakdown

Physical features of the formation of a low-pressure volume discharge in a flat-pack diode are demonstrated using a kinetic description of the electron and ion plasma subsystems. Modeling allows all details of this process to be followed, including the evolution of the distribution functions of electrons and ions over energies at all stages of breakdown development. The mechanism behind the formation of the flow of ions to the anode in the nonstationary phase of breakdown is revealed.