The contribution of the electrode material to the formation of the plasma of a low inductive high current vacuum spark and its influence on the process of discharge micropinching were studied using X ray spectroscopy and laser diagnostics. Electrode system configurations are determined in which the contribu tions of the materials of both electrodes to the plasma emitting X rays are comparable and in which the con tribution of one electrode is dominating. It is found that discharge pinching occurs primarily in the vapor of the pointed electrode independently of its polarity. The experimental results indicate the formation of a suprathermal electron beam in the micropinch region.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.