2021-05-072021-05-072021-03-16Phys. Plasmas 28, 033506 (2021)http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12272/5063The cathode-sheath region of a discharge in atmospheric pressure air with a flat copper cathode is numerically investigated by using a simple fluid model that takes into account non-local ionization. The effects of the cathode temperature are considered. Results are obtained in a wide current density range of 1–102 A/cm2 , which spans from normal glow discharge, through abnormal glow discharge, up to the early stages of the arcing transition. It is shown that the glow-to-arc transition arises from a field-emission instability at the cathode when the cur rent density is larger than 10 A/cm2 , i.e., when the cathode field exceeds a critical value of about 45 V/lm for the conditions considered. It is also shown that the cathode temperature significantly influences the cathode-sheath region. The proposed model is validated by comparing the numerical results with available experimental data.application/pdfenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 InternacionalCathode-sheath modelfield emission sustained atmospheric pressure dischargesPhysics of Plasmasinfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleCejas, EzequielCreative Commons http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional Este trabajo puede ser utilizado con fines académicos y de estudio es_ES 10.1063/5.00357102021-03-16