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The State of the Theory of Vacuum Arc Cathodes
Author(s) -
Hantzsche E.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
beiträge aus der plasmaphysik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.531
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1521-3986
pISSN - 0005-8025
DOI - 10.1002/ctpp.19830230108
Subject(s) - arc (geometry) , vacuum arc , cathode , interpretation (philosophy) , extension (predicate logic) , theoretical physics , state (computer science) , mechanics , statistical physics , physics , chemistry , computer science , mechanical engineering , engineering , algorithm , programming language
The physics of vacuum arc cathodes, the advances in their interpretation and the still unsolved problems are summarized. Starting from the experimental experiences the theories of stationary arc spots are described, with their assumptions and variants, their successes and deficiencies. It is shown that an extension of these models by inclusion of non‐stationary processes is inevitable. Such processes are suggested and their importance in a theory of the dynamic arc spot is investigated. Finally the role of surfacecontaminations is discussed, and the general applicability of the vacuum arc models to all kinds of arc electrodes is emphasized.