Title :
State of the theory of vacuum arcs
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Interdisciplinary Studies, Tel Aviv Univ., Israel
fDate :
10/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A review of vacuum arc phenomena including the cathode and anode processes with cold and hot electrodes as well as the processes in the interelectrode plasma is presented. In the case of cold electrodes, the current continuity mechanism, the nature of mass loss, spot motion, plasma jet generation in the spots, and the cathode potential drop are reviewed. The explosive and gas-dynamical models of cathode spot operation are described. In the case of hot electrodes, the diffuse current continuity mechanism is analyzed and a model for electron-current fraction calculation in discharge with cathode-anomalous electron emission is proposed. The present state of electrical and plasma characteristics of high-current arcs in magnetic fields are discussed
Keywords :
plasma jets; plasma sheaths; plasma transport processes; vacuum arcs; anode processes; anode spot; arc voltage; bulk cathode; cathode anomalous electron emission; cathode potential drop; cathode processes; cathode spot operation; cold electrodes; current continuity mechanism; diffuse current continuity mechanism; electron-current fraction; emission center; erosion rate; explosive models; film cathode; gas-dynamical model; gas-dynamical models; high-current arcs; hot electrode vacuum arc; hot electrodes; interelectrode plasma; magnetic field; mass loss; plasma expansion; plasma jet; plasma jet generation; sheath; spot luminous region; spot motion; track; vacuum arcs; Anodes; Cathodes; Electrodes; Magnetic fields; Plasma accelerators; Plasma density; Plasma materials processing; Plasma properties; Plasma sheaths; Vacuum arcs;
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
