Distributions of Ions in a Plasma Flow of Vacuum Arc with Zirconium Deuteride Cathode

Vacuum arc plasmas with a deuterium-saturated metal cathode are used for producing accelerated deuterium ion beams in neutron tubes. Here we present research results on the mass-charge state of such plasma with a zirconium cathode containing up to 40 at% of deuterium, on the ion velocity distribution, and on the fraction of deuterium ions in the plasma at different arc durations and currents. Also discussed are issues regarding the increase in the fraction of deuterium ions in vacuum arc plasmas.