Studying the energy characteristics of vacuum plasma torches with hollow cathodes

The paper presents the results of the main physical processes that ensure the operation of hollow cathodes of vacuum plasma torches with the formation of high-enthalpy plasma inside the cavity. The interaction of the plasma with the inner surface of the cathode determines the temperature field of the hollow cathode and the distribution of heat fluxes in the vacuum discharge. The formation of the temperature field in the cathode body, in addition to temperature processes, is significantly influenced by the conditions of heat exchange between the cathode and the environment, the characteristics of the cathode material and its geometric dimensions. Studies of plasma emission spectra in the cathode cavity have shown that the appearance of spectrum lines depends on the excitation conditions and determines the energy limits of electrons accelerated in the cathode layer.