Abstract. By using the procedure of current detection from individual cathodes 5-7 p m distant from each other and by scanning electron microscopy, the initiation of new vacuum arc cathode spots has been studied. Ion current bursts of duration 10-50 ns with an amplitude of 0.1-1 A, and inceptive craters on the initially virgin cathode, have been detected just before the spot transition from one cathode to another. The current density estimated over inceptive craters is > 10" A m+. The power flux density of the jet from plasma onto the cathode exceeds 10l2

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Articles you may be interested inHydrodynamics of the molten metal in a vacuum arc cathode spot at near-threshold currents

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