A SELF-CONSISTENT ANALYTICAL MODEL OF ARC SPOTS ON ELECTRODES

A simple model of quasi-stationary electrode spots in arc discharges i s presented. For a given dependence of parameters of the near-electrod e plasma layer on the local surface temperature and on the voltage dro p in the layer, the model allows one to evaluate integral parameters o f the spots without using empirical parameters such as the value of th e electric current per spot or arbitrary suppositions such as the prin ciple of minimum voltage. Analytical formulas are obtained for the spo t radius, integral heat flux removed by heat conduction, and the elect ric current per spot.