Spectrum Intensity and Temperature of Cu I and Cu II Measurement of Vacuum Arc Cathode Spot as a Function of External Transverse Magnetic Field

Vacuum arc discharge is a low-voltage, high-current-density discharge phenomenon that forms a highly intense electron emission spot. The cathode spot is characterized by rapid and irregular movement, and the factors that cause the cathode spot to move have not been elucidated. In order to elucidate the cathode spot movement factors, it is necessary to elucidate the physical phenomena in the cathode spot. In this research, spectrum intensity and temperature of Cu I and Cu II at the cathode spot during the changes of external transverse magnetic field is measured by multi-spot spectroscopic measurements. Specifically, Cu I and Cu II emitted from the cathode spot were kept attention, and multi-spot spectroscopic measurements were performed using a spectrometer and a high-speed video camera. The temperature was calculated using the Boltzmann plot method. This research elucidated the temperature of the cathode spot during the transverse magnetic field change and the particles preceding the cathode spot just before the cathode spot moves.