Pulsed Vacuum Arcs.
Abstract
Pulsed vacuum arcs are examined from the view of device engineering. Cathode spot behavior which is well documented in the literature is discussed with particular attention to emission rates and stability. The metallic plasma characteristics are found to be such that the current is drift dominated over most of the arc. This leads to a particularly simple relationship between the arc current and externally applied magnetic fields. Using this theory, which is referred to in the literature as magneto-ionic theory, circuits involving the vacuum arc are analyzed. Agreement with experimental data is found to be good, with the major discrepancies occurring at high magnetic fields. A high voltage pulsed vacuum arc switch was developed which was operated at voltages up to 25 kV and currents of 800 A. The current rise time for this switch was compared with a theoretical expression based on a fixed arc spot division time, and the results were found to be in good agreement. Other applications of the pulsed vacuum arc are also discussed. These are electric propulsion, metal spraying, and vacuum pumping. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0783903
Entities
People
- David L. Lockwood
Organizations
- University at Buffalo