Erosion of the Cathode by the Electric Arc in Vacuum

Vacuum arc devices such as switches, high power vacuum interrupters and vacuum gaps are finding wide application in the control and distribution of electric power. It has been the writer\u27s privilege to participate in the development of these devices over the past several years. These devices perform their intended function very well. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that the vacuum arc itself is only poorly understood. The work reported here was undertaken in the hope of contributing to the understanding of this phenomenon