Cathode spot plasma parameters in the breakdown stage of vacuum discharge

Abstract

Ion energy distributions of different ion species in cathode-spot plasma were measured with using the HIDEN EQP300 analyzer in both the breakdown and arc modes of discharge in a vacuum gap with the Ga-In liquid-metal cathode simplifying repetitive discharge ignition. In the arc mode of discharge, the average charge of ions rises with increase of discharge current. This trend was found to be absent in the breakdown mode of discharge.