Modeling of branching streamers propagating within dielectric liquids

This paper is aimed at the modeling of branching streamers propagating within a dielectric liquid submitted to a divergent electric field. It uses an equivalent electrical network, physical laws and energetic considerations. It allows to deduce the different characteristics of the streamer. We show in particular that the shape and the propagation mode of the streamer depend not only on the test conditions but also on the local electric field. The values of the mobility of charge carriers within the streamer channels, the local viscosity and temperature deduced from this model, indicate that both electronic and gaseous mechanisms are implicated in the streamer development.