An analysis of anode spot formation mechanism in high current vacuum arcs

The objective of this paper is to propose a hypothesis of anode spot formation mechanism in high-current vacuum arcs. The hypothesis is that anode spot formation in vacuum arcs depends on peak anode energy flux density. The anode spots formation occurs when the peak anode energy flux density exceeds a critical value. By the mechanism analysis, a new model for anode spot formation is given, with which three vacuum arc modes of diffuse arc, anode spot arc and intense arc are sketched. Such work above could provide a new hypothesis to understand the anode spot formation mechanism in high current vacuum arcs deeply.