Abstract

The extrusion of the molten metal from a microcrater formed on a metal cathode during the operation of a vacuum arc is considered. The problem is thought to be similar to the classical hydrodynamic problem of a liquid drop impact on a solid surface. Based on this analogy, the conditions are analyzed under which the liquid will change its regular behavior (spreading over the cathode surface) into a singular behavior (formation of microjets and droplets). It is shown that the conditions realized in vacuum arc cathode spots at near-threshold currents are close to the threshold conditions for splashing of the molten metal. This points to a considerable contribution of hydrodynamic processes to the self-sustained operation of a vacuum arc and, in particular, gives grounds to relate the existence of a threshold arc current to the existence of a splashing threshold for liquid metal.

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