STUDY OF THE CATHODE SHEATH DYNAMICS AFTER ARC CURRENT ZERO CROSSING USING A TWO-DIMENSIONAL LANGMUIR PROBE SYSTEM

摘要

A two-dimensional system of miniature Langmuir probes operating in the electron saturation current mode is proposed. With its help, the spatial distribution of plasma density near the discharge gap and the dynamics of cathode-plasma sheath extension are investigated after the high-current vacuum-arc discharge crosses zero current. The proposed methodology and the results obtained are urgent for investigating processes of current interruption in vacuum circuit breakers.