Reaction of a vacuum arc discharge to a discontinuity in current
We have utilized a time resolution of approx.10/sup -9/ s to investigate transient processes which arise in a vacuum arc discharge when the current changes suddenly (di/dt = 2 x 10/sup 10/ A/s). At the moment of current discontinuity, a transient voltage spike occurs, with a duration which increases as the interelectrode distance increases. We show that the duration of the transient state is determined by the time for cathode plasma to fill up the gap. In the transient state, the plasma potential inside a radius r<0.5 mm remains below 100 V. Most of the transient spike falls in the plasma column between the anode and the moving cathode plasma. We conclude that the duration of the voltage spikes which are observed in the arc are not determined by cathode processes, but by a dynamic alteration in the conductivity of the plasma column.
- Research Organization:
- Institute for High-Current Electronics, Siberian Branch, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Tomsk
- OSTI ID:
- 5014646
- Journal Information:
- Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 26:11; ISSN SPTPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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