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The possibility of ionization of ions outside a near cathode region of a vacuum arc is studied using a modified plasma flow model. Calculations of ion charge state and other plasma parameters at distances of 1-30 mm from the cathode surface were performed for discharge currents of 0.3-3 kA, and Al, Cu, Fe and Ti materials as cathodes. It has been found that additional ionization of primary ions emitted from cathode spots becomes important for a current I 1 kA when the expanding plasma is magnetically confined and electron temperature of the inter-electrode plasma increases up to 5-15 eV. The enhancement of ion charge state depends significantly on the cathode spot configuration and is more impressive for a single-cathode-spot mode, which occurs in the case of a short current pulse. Model calculations have also shown that at distances x 5 mm from the cathode, equilibrium between the magnetic and plasma pressures across the plasma flow is reached.

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