Glow-to-arc transition in graphite cathode with high-current magnetron discharge

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Morel, Erwan, Rozier, Yoann, Minea, Tiberiu
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Morel, Erwan
Rozier, Yoann
Minea, Tiberiu
author_facet Morel, Erwan
Rozier, Yoann
Minea, Tiberiu
contents The glow-to-arc transition is a critical phenomenon in plasma discharges, commonly leading to detrimental effects. The physical mechanisms triggering this transition remain poorly understood. The advent of a discharge called Hyper-Power Impulse Magnetron has opened possibilities. Hyper-Power Impulse Magnetron allows the glow mode to be maintained over long periods (1 ms) and at high-current densities (> 5 A/cm$^2$), which has unveiled certain features in the glow-to-arc transition. This work focuses on a graphite target that transits easily in the arc regime. The high-speed video-camera analysis revealed specific properties of graphite in ExB discharges, and the statistical study of the arc transition revealed differences from other refractory target materials. The early stage of cathodic spot formation, observed as bright dots, will be presented and analyzed within the known "ecton" and "vaporization" models for spot formation. This experimental study highlights the role of luminous spot formation prior to arc transition, with possible optimization on the stability of magnetron discharges.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2501_12701
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Glow-to-arc transition in graphite cathode with high-current magnetron discharge
Morel, Erwan
Rozier, Yoann
Minea, Tiberiu
Plasma Physics
The glow-to-arc transition is a critical phenomenon in plasma discharges, commonly leading to detrimental effects. The physical mechanisms triggering this transition remain poorly understood. The advent of a discharge called Hyper-Power Impulse Magnetron has opened possibilities. Hyper-Power Impulse Magnetron allows the glow mode to be maintained over long periods (1 ms) and at high-current densities (> 5 A/cm$^2$), which has unveiled certain features in the glow-to-arc transition. This work focuses on a graphite target that transits easily in the arc regime. The high-speed video-camera analysis revealed specific properties of graphite in ExB discharges, and the statistical study of the arc transition revealed differences from other refractory target materials. The early stage of cathodic spot formation, observed as bright dots, will be presented and analyzed within the known "ecton" and "vaporization" models for spot formation. This experimental study highlights the role of luminous spot formation prior to arc transition, with possible optimization on the stability of magnetron discharges.
title Glow-to-arc transition in graphite cathode with high-current magnetron discharge
topic Plasma Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.12701