纵磁作用下真空电弧单阴极斑点等离子体射流三维混合模拟

真空电弧的特性直接受到从阴极斑点喷射出的等离子体射流的影响,对等离子体射流进行数值仿真有助于我们深入了解真空电弧的内部物理机制.然而,磁流体动力学和粒子云网格仿真方法受限于计算精度和计算效率的原因,无法有效地应用于真空电弧等离子体射流仿真模拟.本文开发了一套三维等离子体混合模拟算法,并在此基础上建立了真空电弧单阴极斑点射流仿真模型,模型中将离子作宏粒子考虑,而电子作无质量流体处理,仿真计算了自生电磁场与外施纵向磁场作用下等离子体的分布运动状态.仿真结果表明,单个阴极斑点情况下真空等离子体射流在离开阴极斑点后扩散至极板间,其整体几何形状为圆锥形,离子密度从阴极到阳极快速下降.外施纵向磁场会压缩等离子体,使得等离子体射流径向的扩散减少并且轴线上的离子密度升高.随着外施纵向磁场的增大,其对等离子体射流的压缩效应增强,表现为等离子体射流的扩散角度逐渐减小.此外,外施纵向磁场对等离子体射流的影响也受到电弧电流大小的影响,压缩效应随电弧电流的增加而逐渐减弱.     

Twenty-five years of progress in vacuum arc research andutilization

Progress in understanding and applying vacuum arcs is reviewed. Laser diagnostics have demonstrated the existence of micron-sized regions in the cathode spot plasma having electron densities exceeding 10²⁶ m^-3. The expanding plasma produces a highly ionized jet whose ions typically have charge states of 1-3 and energies of 50-150 eV. Gas dynamic and explosive emission models have been formulated to explain cathode spot operation. In cases where the arc is constricted at the anode, forming an anode spot, or the anode is thermally isolated, forming a hot anode vacuum arc, material emitted from the anode may dominate the interelectrode plasma. Evaporation from liquid droplets may also provide a substantial component of the plasma, and the presence of these droplets can have deleterious consequences in applications. The vacuum arc has been extensively utilized as a plasma source, particularly for the deposition of protective coatings and thin films, and as a switching medium in electrical distribution circuit breakers     

Vacuum arc cathode spot grouping and motion in magnetic fields

Two of the important vacuum arc phenomena observed when the arc runs in a transverse magnetic field are cathode spot grouping and the cathode spot retrograde motion, i.e., in the anti-Amperian direction. This paper summarizes the main experimental observations and proposes a physical model for spot grouping and spot retrograde motion. The proposed spot motion model take in account the previous theoretical model of the cathode thermal regime and the plasma flow near the cathode surface that is based on two conditions: i) the heat loss in the cathode bulk is relatively small to the heat influx, and ii) the plasma flow in the Knudsen layer is impeded. In the present model, the current per group spot is calculated by assuming that the plasma kinetic pressure is comparable to the self-magnetic pressure in the acceleration region of cathode plasma jet. The model includes equations for the current per spot group, spot velocity dependence on the magnetic field and on the arc current in vacuum, as well as in gas filled arc gap. The calculated currents per spot group and spot velocity increase linearly with the magnetic field and arc current, and this dependencies well agree with previous observations. The cathode spot retrograde motion in short electrode gaps and at atmospheric pressure arcs, and the reversal motion in strong magnetic fields (>1 T) observed by Robson and Engel are discussed. The details of the retrograde motion observed in the last decades including the spot velocity dependence on the electrode gap, roughness, temperature, and material could be understood in the frame of the proposed model.     

Computer Simulation of the Dynamics of Plasma-Surface Interactions in Vacuum Arc Cathode Spots

After an introductory definition of the vacuum arc cathode spot, its main theoretical aspects are highlighted. Most of the review is being devoted to the E-diagram method as well as to advanced nonstationary cathode spot models. A survey of the aim of the present computer simulation and its development following the author's very first concept of "dynamic field emission" is also given. The cathode spot model subjected to the computer simulation is described in detail, considering the laws of conservation of charge, mass, and energy in the complete cathode spot system. A short survey of the computational procedure is also given here. The main computational results may be summarized as follows: Within the actual model assumptions, a steady-state self-sustaining cathode spot does not exist. On the one hand, plasma-wall interactions with steady-state thermal equilibrium exist below the balance conditions of mass and energy, while on the other hand, real cathode spots that meet the requirements of both mass and energy balance never show thermal equilibrium but are characterized by thermal runaway. Therefore, instability is an inherent feature of cathode spots. Finally, a comparison between computational values and representative experimental results of cathode spot characteristics shows a rather good agreement, further supporting the principal validity of a model devoted particularly to a theoretical specification of the vacuum arc cathode spot.     

Application of vacuum arc cathode spot model to graphite cathode

A model of near-electrode processes is applied here to describe the behavior of cathode spots on graphite cathode in vacuum arc. The physical model is based on a kinetic treatment of cathode evaporation, electron emission from the cathode, and plasma production. The model consists of physical assumptions and a system of equations that are formulated in the paper. Spot parameters, such as cathode erosion rate, cathode potential drop, cathode surface temperature, current density, electric field, and plasma density, temperature, and velocity in the near-electrode region are calculated numerically. The calculation includes the dependence of spot parameters on spot current and spot lifetime. The variation of spot parameters as a function of spot lifetime are very strong at lifetimes shorter than 10 μs. The calculations indicate that Joule heating in the cathode body is significant, and may exceed cathode heating by the ion heat flux. Calculated spot parameters are compared with the corresponding experimental data for relatively low arc currents (<100 A) and their agreement is discussed     

Anode Phenomena in Vacuum and Atmospheric Pressure Arcs

This paper summarizes recent experimental data related to anode phenomena in both vacuum and atmospheric pressure arcs. Currents in the range 10A to 3OkA are discussed, and particular emphasis is placed on the effect of plasma flow from the cathode. For vacuum arcs this plasma flow is the directed motion of metal ions from the cathode spots. These ions reduce the anode voltage drop, and maintain a diffuse anode termination. At atmospheric pressure the ion flow is impeded by gas-atom collisions. However, a plasma flow towards the anode can result from magnetic pinch forces at the constricted cathode termination. In the absence of plasma flow, the anode termination constricts to a vigorously evaporating anode spot. For a typical non-refractory electrode such as copper, the spot operates at a temperature close to the boiling point irrespective of the gas pressure. The spot temperature is dictated by the balance between electrical input power and evaporative losses. These anode phenomena are discussed in relation to vacuum switchgear, arc welding and arc furnaces.     

The Ecton Mechanism for the Generation of Ion Flows in a Vacuum Arc

The principal characteristics of the process of generation of the cathode plasma in a vacuum arc (ion erosion, mean charge of ions) are considered in terms of the ecton model of the cathode spot of a vacuum arc. The estimates of the parameters of ions obtained for a unit cell of a cathode spot – an ecton – are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with experimental data. The following mechanism for the generation of the cathode plasma of a vacuum arc is proposed. When a region of the cathode is destroyed in an explosive manner due to Joule heating, the material of the cathode sequentially goes over a series of states: the condensed state and the states of imperfect and ideal plasma. During this transition the charge state of the plasma is formed and the ions are accelerated under the action of the pressure gradient in the plasma whose density decreases by several orders of magnitude over distances of 10 m from the cathode surface. The increase in current results in an increase in number of cells, and the principal parameters of the ions are formed as a result of the operation of a unit cell of the spot.     

Interaction of plasma jets and droplets in the cathode region of a vacuum arc

The interaction of liquid-metal droplets with plasma jets in the cathode region of a vacuum arc is considered in the context of an ecton model. It is shown that heating of a droplet in the cathode spot region can initiate the droplet transition to the plasma state.     

On the Nature and the Motion of Arc Cathode Spots in UHV

Cathode spot types and spot motion of arcs in ultra high vacuum have been investigated with large area cathodes that consisted of two adjacent pieces of Mo and Cu. Arc currents were 20–60 A dc and 8–20 kA pulse (duration about 1 ms). Two spot types occured with different velocities and surface erosion: Type 1 spots are typical for surfaces covered by oxides or thick adsorption layers, whereas clean surfaces show only type 2 spots. During arc-conditioning both types exist simultaneously in a complex mutual dependence. Type 1 spots react weakly on the cathode material, while type 2 spots burn preferentially on Cu and at the boundary line between Mo and Cu. The motion of type 1 spots is determined by the expanding spot plasma, whereas type 2 spots show a step-by step motion, determined by explosions in the arc craters. Generally a spontaneous formation of type 2 spots beneath the arc plasma takes place only with contaminated surfaces (probably by a transition from type 1 to type 2 spots). Thus a breakdown between plasma and cathode surface requires the presence of contaminations. The observed effects occur in low current dc-arcs as well as in high current pulse arcs. They are discussed for different spot models.     

A physical model of the low-current-density vacuum arc

A one-dimensional (1-D) physical model of the low-current-density steady-state vacuum arc is proposed. The model is based on the continuity equations for ions and electrons and the energy balance for the discharge system; the electric potential distribution in the discharge gap is assumed to be nonmonotonic. It is supposed that the ion current at the cathode is generated within the cathode potential fall region due to the ionization of the evaporated atoms by the plasma thermal electrons having Boltzmann's energy distribution. The model offers a satisfactory explanation for the principal regularities of a hot-cathode vacuum arc with diffuse attachment of the current. The applicability of the model proposed to the explanation of some processes occurring in a vacuum arc, such as the flow of fast ions toward the anode, the current cutoffs and voltage bursts, and the backward motion of a cathode spot in a transverse magnetic field is discussed     

Investigation of unstable motion characteristics of vacuum arc cathode spots between transverse magnetic field contacts

With the improvement of the current level of power grids, the requirements of the opening level of the vacuum switches are also increasing. Vacuum arc cathode spots provide steam and electrons and, to a certain extent, determine the opening capacity of the vacuum switch. In this paper, a vacuum arc cathode spot research platform based on the de-mountable vacuum chamber is constructed. The characteristics of the vacuum arc cathode spots under the transverse magnetic field (TMF) contacts are assessed by a high-speed charge coupled device. The experimental results show that the cathode spot diffusion process can be divided into three processes through cathode spot distribution, arc voltage and current: initial diffusion stage of cathode spots, unstable motion stage of cathode spots, and extinguishing stage. The motion mode of cathode spots during unstable motion stage can be divided into cathode spots group stagnation (CSGS) to multi-cathode jet (MCJ) switch mode, cathode spots group motion (CSGM) to MCJ switch mode, CSGM mode, and MCJ mode. The effects of peak current and contact diameter on unstable motion mode were analysed.     

Theoretische Modelle des katodischen Brennflecks von Bogenentladungen. Teil I: Grundlagen

Presuppositions, theoretical basis, results and general experiences of numerical model calculations of quasi-stationary cathodic spots in (vacuum) arcs are summarized. The results (mainly related to copper cathodes) comprise the essential physical quantities of the cathode spot surface and (partially) of the cathode spot plasma, i.e. possible states of existence within the space of parameters. Especially, the dependence of these results on changes of the parameters and equations is investigated. Several examples are presented and interpreted. In any case, the surface roughness of the cathode is taken into account. Finally, the limitations of the model are discussed, and the great importance of non-stationary (e.g. explosive) processes within the arc spot is emphasized, though such processes are beyond the scope of this model. The paper is published in two parts. This first part comprises an introduction to several aspects of arc spot modeling, the discussion of the physical processes in cathode arc spots and the development of relevant equations to be used in the model.     

Influence of residual gases on cathode spot behavior

A residual gas in a vacuum arc chamber influences the behavior of the arc by two effects: it changes the state of the cathode surface, in particular the surface cleanness, and it influences the interelectrode plasma. Experiments are summarized dealing with the influence of the residual gas on the arc parameters in a pressure range of 10^-6-10^-5 Pa. With increasing pressure, general tendencies are a decrease in the fluctuations of the burning voltage, in the chopping current, and in the current density, and an increase in the arc lifetime, spot velocity, and spot diameter. The conditions at the cathode surface are decisive for the spot behavior and not the pressure. Surface contaminations render the arc more stable. The transition between the so-called cathode spot type 1 (on contaminated surfaces) and type 2 (on clean surfaces) was found to be smooth rather than abrupt     

Structure and parameters of vacuum arc cathode spots

The effect of such parameters of cathode materials as the heat of atom evaporation, atomic weight, work function of electrons on the structure of cathode spots of a vacuum arc, conditions of charged particle generation, and, most important, the F-emission of electrons, is considered. Determining the interrelation of cathode parameters and processes in a vacuum arc cathode spot helps develop conditions for a vacuum arc to effectively modify the surfaces of materials.     

Measurement of cathode spot parameters with pulsed laserdiagnostics

The cathode spot formation in air within the first 170 ns was investigated by laser absorption photography and ps-pulse interferometry. The discharge was initiated between electrodes made from Ag or Pd with cathode-anode distance below 300 μm, the arc duration was some milliseconds, and the arc current 5-10 A. Picosecond holographic interferometry and momentary absorption photography yielded spatial-temporal density distributions in the ignition phase of the cathode spot. An absolute electron density value on the order of 4×10²⁶ m^-3 has been found. In contrast to vacuum, the cathode spot plasmas broaden little with increasing distance from the cathode, thus narrow plasma channels are observed in the vicinity of the cathode surface having diameters <20 μm     

含氢电极真空弧放电等离子体时空分布特性研究

真空弧离子源在真空镀膜、材料表面改性、真空大电流开关、加速器离子注入等领域有广泛应用,目前国内外对真空弧放电等离子体的研究主要针对纯金属或合金电极,对含氢电极的研究和公开报道较少.本文利用高时空分辨的四分幅图像诊断系统,结合氢和钛原子特征线单色器件,研究了含氢钛电极的真空弧微秒级脉冲放电等离子体的轴向和径向时空分布特性.研究表明:在真空击穿阶段,阳极区域发光更为明显,阳极电极解吸附释放的氢原子是引发击穿的主要放电介质;在真空弧阶段,阴极-绝缘-真空三结合点处产生圆锥状阴极斑,喷射出大量的等离子体以维持弧放电,同时电极内壁非阴极斑区域也有少量等离子体产生,等离子体中H原子的轴向和径向空间分布均比Ti原子均匀.     

Motion of the cathode spot of a vacuum arc in an external magnetic field

The problem of the motion of the cathode spot of a vacuum arc electrical discharge in a magnetic field applied tangential to the cathode surface is considered. The treatment is based on concepts of the nonstationary, cyclical nature of processes occurring in the cathode spot and the key role of return electrons falling out of the near-cathode plasma back onto the cathode. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 60–64 (June 1998)     

Vacuum breakdown on metal surfaces

The unipolar arc model is described. Experimental proof that unipolar arcing represents a discharge form which easily leads to explosive plasma formation is provided. Using a laser-produced plasma, it has been demonstrated that unipolar arcs ignite and burn on a nanosecond time scale without any external electric field being applied. Similar unipolar arc craters have been observed on the cathode surface of a pulsed vacuum diode with an externally applied field of 0.5 MV/cm. The experimental results show that cathode spots are formed by unipolar arching. The localized buildup of plasma above an electron-emitting spot naturally leads to a pressure gradient and electric field distribution which drives the unipolar arc. The high current density of a unipolar arc provides explosive plasma formation     

Photographic appearance of high-current vacuum arcs prior to and during anode spot formation

This article presents the results of research on the photographic appearance of a highcurrent vacuum arc between butt type copper electrodes a of 30–80 mm diameter and a fixed gap of 10 mm. Current pulses of up to 30 kA peak amplitude at an initial value of (di/dt)₀ from 1–10kA/ms and a duration of approximately 14 ms were applied. Arcs were photographed with a high-speed framing camera, mostly at 10⁴ frames/s. A detailed study of discharge modes in phase transition from a high-current diffuse arc to a constricted arc with an anode spot was conducted. Most of the measurements were obtained at a peak current slightly in excess of 10 kA for electrodes of 55 mm diameter. It was found that at peak current exceeding moderately the threshold value of the onset of anode spot formation, the arc is characterized by the following main features: the formation of an anode spot and an anode plasma jet occurs concurrently with a local concentration of cathode spots; the anode spot is, most often, formed on the electrode edge; the coexistence of very varied structures of spots on the cathode; the lack of considerable constriction of the cathode discharge; the pseudo-periodic shrinking and expansion of the area occupied by cathode spots; the existence of a relatively dark space separates the anode plasma jet from the plasma sheath near the cathode surface; the plasma space distribution in the interelectrode gap is non-uniform and non-stationary.This work was supported by State Committee for Scientific Research within the research project No. 3 P40101507.