High-Current Vacuum Arc in a Strong Axial Magnetic Field

The high-current vacuum arcs (HCVA) with high average current densities in axial magnetic fields (AMF) B_n les 1.2T were studied. The typical V-shape of volt-tesla characteristic (VTC) has been shown to retain in strong AMF and at raising the current density to 3 kA/cm²; the quantitative parameters change, though. It has been confirmed the conclusion of Chaly et al. (1999) that, in strong AMF, the cathode attachment size for an arc in a quasi stationary state is defined by AMF induction and arc length. The quantitative comparison of VTC and voltage of a low-current arc under the action of magnetic field, inclined to the arc axis (Chaly et al., 2006), encounters difficulties arising in describing of HCVA as an aggregate of independent cathode jets at moderate values of AMF induction