Selfconsistent Simulation of Development of Anode Spot in High Current Vacuum Arc

Abstract

Self-consistent modeling of anode heating by a vacuum arc during 50 Hz half-wave of a current with contact opening speed of 1 m/s is carried out. As a result of the simulation, the heating of the anode to the temperature at which the metal vapor begins to enter the interelectrode gap with the formation of an anode plasma plume (similar to that found in experiments) was obtained. It is shown that the energy flux of linear radiation from the interelectrode plasma to the anode is a critical reason of the appearance and maintenance of the anode plume.