Joule Heating and Diameter of the Cathode Spot in a Vacuum Arc

摘要

Measurements regarding the influence of the cathode surface structure on the movement of a metal vapor discharge in vacuum were reported. The diameter of the cathode spot as a function of current has been studied and some considerations in order to elucidate the experimental results are outlined. Descriptions of the movement of the discharge and a theoretical calculation of the diameter of a single metal vapor discharge as a function of current are given. (Author)