The cathode spot of a vacuum arc

G. A. Lyubimov, V. I. Rakhovskiǐ

Soviet Physics Uspekhi · 1978 · 120 citations · 1 references

Concepts

TL;DR

The review analyzes the current experimental and theoretical state of vacuum‑arc cathode spots and proposes a classification of their types. The authors examine high‑resolution experimental studies of the near‑cathode region, detailing key parameters such as velocity, motion, lifetime, current density, cathode fall, vapor‑jet velocity, particle concentration, and electron temperature, and assess the reliability of these results. Based on the data, the authors propose explosive and diffusion models that qualitatively and sometimes quantitatively describe the various cathode‑spot types.

Abstract

In this review we analyze the current state of experiments and theory relating to the cathode spot of a vacuum arc. We discuss technical features of the experimental study of the near-cathode region of a vacuum arc with high time and space resolution. We discuss in detail the experimental data on such basic parameters characterizing the cathode spot as velocity, nature of motion, and lifetime of the spot, the current to the spot, current density, cathode fall, charge-transfer coefficient, vapor-jet velocity, charged-particle concentration, and electron temperature. We evaluate the reliability of the results obtained by various authors. A classification of cathode spots is proposed, and conditions for the existence of various types of spots and the behavior in the transition from one type to another are described. On the basis of the experimental data considered, we propose the explosive and diffusion models which provide qualitative and sometimes quantitative descriptions of cathode spots of various types.

References

1