Title :
Present state of the theory of vacuum arcs
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Interdisciplinary Studies, Tel Aviv Univ., Israel
Abstract :
The understanding of vacuum arc processes including the cathode and anode phenomena with cold and hot electrodes as well as the processes in 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. The present state of electrical and plasma characteristics of high current arcs in magnetic fields are discussed
Keywords :
cathodes; magnetic fields; plasma jets; vacuum arcs; anode; cathode; cathode potential drop; cathode spot operation; cold electrodes; current continuity mechanism; diffuse current continuity mechanism; explosive models; gas-dynamical models; hot electrodes; interelectrode plasma processes; mass loss; plasma jet generation; spot motion; vacuum arc processes; vacuum arcs theory; Anodes; Cathodes; Current density; Electrodes; Plasma accelerators; Plasma density; Plasma measurements; Plasma properties; Plasma temperature; Vacuum arcs;
Conference_Titel :
Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, 2000. Proceedings. ISDEIV. XIXth International Symposium on
Conference_Location :
Xi´an
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5791-4
DOI :
10.1109/DEIV.2000.877276
