Investigation of transient processes during the extinction of a vacuum arc at currents close to the threshold

Abstract

The work is devoted to the study of the process of spontaneous extinction of a vacuum arc at low currents. New data have been obtained on the behavior of current, voltage, plasma glow, ion flux, and plasma potential during spontaneous extinction. It is shown that during the spontaneous extinction of the vacuum arc, there is a sharp increase in the ion current and a simultaneous jump in the plasma potential at different distances from the cathode. The data obtained indicate a sharp increase in the plasma resistance in the entire space surrounding the discharge gap, which leads to a sharp cutoff of the current and termination of the arc.