Measurements of the total ion flux from vacuum arc cathodespots
The ion flux from vacuum arc cathode spots was measured in two vacuum arc systems. The first was a vacuum arc ion source which was modified allowing us to collect ions from arc plasma streaming through an anode mesh. The second discharge system essentially consisted of a cathode placed near the center of a spherically shaped mesh anode. In both systems, the ion current streaming through the mesh was measured by a biased collector. The mesh anodes had geometric transmittances of 60 percent and 72 percent, respectively, which were taken into account as correction factors. The ion current from different cathode materials was measured for 50-500 A of arc current. The ion current normalized by the arc current was found to depend on the cathode material, with values in the range from 5 percent to 19 percent. The normalized ion current is generally greater for elements of low cohesive energy. The ion erosion rates were determined from values of ion current and ion charge states, which were previously measured in the same ion source. The absolute ion erosion rates range from 16-173 mu g/C.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE. Administrator for the National Nuclear SecurityAdministration. Nonproliferation and National Security Program Direction; US Civilian Research and Development Foundation Grant OT-016-02; RussianFederation. Young Dr Science Program MD-148 2203 02, High CurrentElectronic Institute Tomsk Russia
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 876209
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-56758; ITPSBD; R&D Project: Z2N196; BnR: NN4101010; TRN: US200620%%680
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 33, Issue 5; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: October 2005; ISSN 0093-3813
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Measurement of total ion flux in vacuum Arc discharges
Measurement of total ion current from vacuum arc plasma sources