Investigation of the spatial distribution characteristics of multiple species in a vacuum arc

The spatial distribution of multiple species in a vacuum arc is an essential microscopic feature. Ionization, recombination, and species diffusion are the main factors affecting the distribution of arc particles. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of multiple species in a vacuum arc using a high-speed camera and interference filters. CuCr50 and pure copper plate electrodes were used to conduct arc-burning experiments in a demountable vacuum chamber. The distribution of different species was obtained by arranging interference filters outside the quartz glass window. The experimental results show that most neutral atoms originated from the evaporation of the electrode material and were distributed on the electrode surface. Strong ionization of ions and atoms near the cathode caused the number of single-charged ions to increase, and their ion density gradually decreased along the axial direction with increasing distance from the cathode. Double-charged ions were mainly distributed near the anode where the electron temperature was higher, and their density increased along the axial direction with increasing distance to the cathode. The above conclusions provide a basis for further research on the characteristics of microscopic particles in vacuum arcs.