On the relation of the ion velocity to the ion charge in the vacuum arc plasma

It is known that vacuum arc cathode spots generate high-velocity (/spl sim/10/sup 6/ cm/c) ionic jets onto an anode. The ionic flows consist of ions of different ratio, and, the above charge of an ion, the more its velocity. However relation of velocity of an ion to its charge in different experiments is received miscellaneously (at similar values of an arc current, cathode material, vacuum degree). So, velocity dispersion of three-charged and single-charged ions varies. Velocity dispersion is influenced by pressure of residual gas in a vacuum gap recompression in definite bounds results in increase of difference in velocities of different charged ions. In the present paper, an explanation of observed relations of velocity of ions to their charge is offered.