The Turbulent Nature of the Ion Flow of the Vacuum Arc

The new approach to explaining of ions and electrons acceleration in the vacuum arc is presented. The ion-acoustic plasma shock waves can produce the well-known shape of ion energy distribution as well as the dependence of that on the ion charge state. Experimentally measured mean ion velocities dependence on cathode material properties can be explained by ion sound shock wave dependence on "hot" electron temperature and ion mass. Experimentally measured energy distribution can be formed statistically by ion-acoustic waves with different amplitudes and velocities. In addition, the plasma turbulence can be the cause of several unexplained effects: The correspondence of ion flow peaks to strong discharge current falls can be explained by plasma turbulence rising which in turn causes abnormal plasma resistance. The Fourier spectra of ion flow law 1/f can be explained by Kolmogorov’s established turbulence spectra.