Effects of Anode Spot Heat Transfer on Vacuum Arc Behavior

摘要

Vaporization of anode material by a plasma in a vacuum arc is a source of ions for neutron tube applications. This report analytically describes this vaporization behavior to increase the understanding of tube performance. A model which balances heat input from the plasma against losses due to vaporization, radiation and conduction within the anode material is used. The anode spot heating by the plasma is described by a simple power feedback model. These calculations are then compared to previous surface temperature measurements on anode spots in an ion source. Examples of parametric analyses showing the effect of material property variations of the arc behavior are described. (ERA citation 06:014603)