This is a comprehensive text describing the basic physics and technological applications of vacuum arcs. Part I describes basic physics of the vacuum arc, beginning with a brief tutorial review of plasma and electrical discharge physics, then describes the arc ignition process, cathode and anode spots which serve as the locus for plasma generation, and resultant interelectrode plasma. Part II describes the applications of the vacuum arc for depositing thin films and coatings, refining metals, switching high power, and as sources of intense electron, ion, plasma, and x-ray beams.

This is a comprehensive text describing the basic physics and technological applications of vacuum arcs. Part I describes basic physics of the vacuum arc, beginning with a brief tutorial review of plasma and electrical discharge physics, then describes the arc ignition process, cathode and anode spots which serve as the locus for plasma generation, and resultant interelectrode plasma. Part II describes the applications of the vacuum arc for depositing thin films and coatings, refining metals, switching high power, and as sources of intense electron, ion, plasma, and x-ray beams.

In Europe, thermoprocessing is the third largest energy consumption sector following traffic and room heating. Its structure is very much diversified and complex. Therefore it is split into a large number of subdivisions, each of them having a high importance for the industrial economy. Accordingly we find the application know-how for the design and the execution of respective equipment represented by a multitude of small but very specialized and significant companies and their experts. As a result there was only little chance to find a comprehensive survey of the practical side of this technology so far. This gap is now filled by the new "Handbook of Thermoprocessing Technologies" based on the contributions of many highly experienced, outstanding engineers working in this field. The main intention of this book is the presentation of practical thermal processing for the improvement of material and parts in industrial application. Additionally, a summary of respective thermal and material science fundamentals is given as well as basic fuel-related and electrical engineering knowledge for this technology and finally design aspects, components and safety requirements for the necessary heating installations are covered. In conclusion, a very wide and competent state of the art description is now available for all manufacturers and users of thermoprocessing equipment. But also specialists from neighbouring fields, students and all those who are generally interested in this important but widely unknown technology will find a quick survey here as well as a very profound expertise.

Title: The Vacuum Interrupter: Theory, Design, and ApplicationShelving guide: Electrical Engineering Dr. Paul Slade draws from his nearly six decades of active experience to develop this second edition of The Vacuum Interrupter: Theory, Design, and Application. This book begins by discussing the design requirements for high voltage vacuum interrupters and then the contact requirements to interrupt the vacuum arc. It then continues by describing the various applications in which the vacuum interrupter is generally utilized. Part 1 of this book begins with a detailed review of the vacuum breakdown process. It continues by covering the steps necessary for the design and the manufacture of a successful vacuum interrupter. The vacuum arc is then discussed, including how it is affected as a function of current. An overview of the development and use of practical contact materials, along with their advantages and disadvantages, follows. Contact designs that are introduced to control the high current vacuum arc are also analyzed. Part 2, on application, begins with a discussion of the arc interruption process for low current and high current vacuum arcs. It examines the voltage escalation phenomenon that can occur when interrupting inductive circuits. The occurrence of contact welding for closed contacts subjected to the passage of high currents, and for contacts when closing on high currents, is explored. The general requirements for the successful manufacture and testing of vacuum circuit breakers is then presented. The general application of vacuum interrupters to switch load currents, especially when applied to capacitor circuits, is also given. The interruption of high short circuit currents is presented along with the expected performance of the two major contact designs. Owing to the ever-increasing need for environmentally friendly circuit protection devices, the development and application of the vacuum interrupter will only increase in the future. At present the vacuum circuit breaker is the technology of choice for distribution circuits (5kV to 40.5kV). It is increasingly being applied to transmission circuits (72.5kV to 242kV). In the future, its application for protecting high voltage DC networks is assured. Audience This is a practical source book for engineers and scientists interested in studying the development and application of the vacuum interrupter Research scientists in industry and universities Graduate students beginning their study of vacuum interrupter phenomena Design engineers applying vacuum interrupters in vacuum switches, vacuum contactors, vacuum circuit breakers, and vacuum contactors It provides a unique and comprehensive review of all aspects of vacuum interrupter technology for those new to the subject and for those who wish to obtain a deeper understanding of its science and application Scientists and engineers, who are beginning their research into vacuum breakdown and aspects of the vacuum arc, will find the extensive bibliography and phenomenological descriptions to be a useful introduction

This book is devoted to a thorough investigation of the physics and applications of the vacuum arc – a highly-ionized metallic plasma source used in a number of applications – with emphasis on cathode spot phenomena and plasma formation. The goal is to understand the origins and behavior of the various complex and sometimes mysterious phenomena involved in arc formation, such as cathode spots, electrode vaporization, and near-electrode plasma formation. The book takes the reader from a model of dense cathode plasma based on charge-exchange ion-atom collisions through a kinetic approach to cathode vaporization and on to metal thermophysical properties of cathodes. This picture is further enhanced by an in-depth study of cathode jets and plasma acceleration, the effects of magnetic fields on cathode spot behavior, and electrical characteristics of arcs and cathode spot dynamics. The book also describes applications to space propulsion, thin film deposition, laser plasma generation, and magnetohydrodynamics, making this comprehensive and up-to-date volume a valuable resource for researchers in academia and industry.

Vacuum circuit breakers are widely used in distribution power systems for their advantages such as maintenance free and eco-friendly. Nowadays, most circuit breakers used at transmission voltage level are SF6 circuit breakers, but the SF6 they emit is one of the six greenhouse gases defined in Kyoto Protocol. Therefore, the development of transmission voltage level vacuum circuit breaker can help the environment. The switching arc phenomena in transmission voltage level vacuum circuit breakers are key issues to explore. This book focuses on the high-current vacuum arcs phenomena at transmission voltage level, especially on the anode spot phenomena, which significantly influence the success or failure of the short circuit current interruption. Then, it addresses the dielectric recovery property in current interruption. Next it explains how to determine the closing/opening displacement curve of transmission voltage level vacuum circuit breakers based on the vacuum arc phenomena. After that, it explains how to determine key design parameters for vacuum interrupters and vacuum circuit breakers at transmission voltage level. At the end, the most challenging issue for vacuum circuit breakers, capacitive switching in vacuum, is addressed. The contents of this book will benefit researchers and engineers in the field of power engineering, especially in the field of power circuit breakers and power switching technology.

Annotation applications of this technology. With its many references, this book provides a starting point for more in-depth surveys on what has been done as well as more recent work. The author draws comparisons and places the information in the proper context, which is particularly helpful for the patent literature where the terminology used is often not that used by the technical community. A "must" for materials scientists and engineers working with vacuum coating in the invention of new applications and researching patents, plus of special interest to those in the semiconductors field.