Nonself-sustaining arc discharge in anode material vapors

The basic characteristics of the nonself-sustaining arc discharge in a vapor of anode material are studied. The influence of thermoemission parameters of the cathode on volt-ampere characteristics of the discharge is described. It is established that in free mode of the discharge cathode operations the speed of sprayed covering deposition q is directly proportional to discharge current value I_D , and in the compelled mode of cathode operations q~W_D ², where W_D=I_DU_D. It is shown, that the magnetic field while increasing the plasma density, changes the distribution law of its density on the length of a flow x from n(x)~1/x² to n(x)~1/x. It is also established that the movement of a created plasma flow has a noncollision character with a constant T_e≈5-7 eV on the length of a flow. The values of plasma potential and electric field in a flow are determined, the values of cathodic and anodic potential falls in the discharge are evaluated. The diagrams of ion orientation and neutrals of a created plasma flow are described. It is shown that the characteristics of a working material essentially influence created plasma flows parameters. Using the crossed electric and magnetic fields, plasma flows with flow ionization factor 85% for the discharge in Ti vapors and 35% for the discharge in Cu vapors, are produced