Singularities of interaction between a cathode stream and anode vapors in a vacuum arc: Numerical simulation results

Numerical simulation is performed of the process of interaction of cathode and anode ions in a highcurrent vacuum arc with evaporating anode. The presence of the friction force between ion flows, as well as of the friction work, leads to heating and acceleration of slow anode ions and deceleration of fast cathode ions. The boundaries of stable passage of current are determined, associated with the presence of the limiting value of density of anode vapors