Effect of the Geometry of Cathode Microprotrusions on the Parameters of the Explosive Emission Processes

This report presents results of a numerical simulation of the electrical explosion of a cathode microprotrusion initiated by explosive emission current. The microexplosion parameters (the pre-explosion time and the specific current action integral) have been estimated in relation to the geometry (current density) of the microprotrusion and the type (direct-current and high-frequency) voltage across the diode. The variations in the main parameters of the cathode material (temperature and density) during such a microexplosion are investigated for tungsten and copper cathodes.