Self-similar regimes of fast ionization waves in shielded discharge tubes

An analytical self-similar solution to the problem of the propagation of a fast ionization wave (FIW) in a long shielded tube is constructed. An expre ssion determining the influence of the device parameters on the FIW velocit y is obtained; the velocity is found to be the nonmonotonic function of the working-gas pressure. The theoretical predictions are compared with the re sults of experiments carried out with helium and nitrogen. The calculation and experimental results agree within experimental errors.