Unipolar arcing: Difference between revisions

where <math>\tau</math> is a time interval over which observation is averaged, <math>E_{phon}</math> is the phonon energy (heat)transferred to the cathode material, <math>E_{CE}</math> the cohesive energy needed to transfer the cathode material from the solid phase to the vapor phase, <math>E_{ionization}</math> is the energy needed to ionize the vaporized cathode material, <math>E_{kin,i}</math> is the kinetic energy given to the ions due tot the pressure gradient and other acceleration mechanisms, <math>E_{ee}</math> is the energy needed to emit electrons from the solid to the plasma, <math>E_{th,e}</math> the thermal energy (enthalpy) of electron in the plasma, <math>E_{MP}</math> is the energy invested in melting, heating, and acceleration of marcoparticles, and <math>E_{rad}</math> is the energy emitted by radiation. The input energy is mostly transferred to heat the cathode, to emit and heat electrons, and to produce and accelerate ions.