Handbook of Vacuum Arc Science & Technology

This is a comprehensive text describing the basic physics and technological applications of vacuum arcs. Part I describes basic physics of the vacuum arc, beginning with a brief tutorial review of plasma and electrical discharge physics, then describes the arc ignition process, cathode and anode spots which serve as the locus for plasma generation, and resultant interelectrode plasma. Part II describes the applications of the vacuum arc for depositing thin films and coatings, refining metals, switching high power, and as sources of intense electron, ion, plasma, and x-ray beams.

Part I: Fundamentals of Vacuum Arc Science and Technology Electrical Discharges and Plasmas-A Brief Tutorial Arc Ignition Cathode Spots The Interelectrode Plasma Anode Phenomena Part II: Applications of Vacuum Arc Science and Technology Coatings From the Vacuum Arc Vacuum Arc Metal Processing Vacuum Switching of High Current and High Voltage at Power Frequencies Pulsed Power Applications Index About the Contributors