Linear laws and parameters of ecton processes in vacuum arc

Such arc parameters as the ion current from the cathode, number of cells in the cathode spot, energy dissipation on the cathode, force acting on the cathode, and ion mass linearly depend on the arc current. Based on these dependences, a simple theory of ecton processes in the arc with copper cathode is proposed. The interdependence of arc parameters is established based on the fact of the portion behavior of the arc. The numbers of electrons and ions in the ecton are determined. Using the Tanberg effect and Richardson-Schottky formula, the arc current density (∼10 8 A/cm 2 ) and the electric field (∼10 7 V/cm) in the near-cathode region (∼10 −6 cm) are determined.