Electron energy balance in a high current vacuum discharge with an evaporative anode

The paper considers a nonequilibrium model of a high current vacuum arc where particle balance and energy balance substantially nonlocal. The balance of electron energy is studied with allowance for ionization of anode vapors. It is shown with a density of anode vapors~10²² m^-3 distribution of electron temperature in the near-anode zone is highly inhomogeneous. A simple nonequilibrium model is offered to describe cathode flames. It is shown at a nonisotropic part of cathode flames the voltage may considerably drop