NON-SELF-SUSTAINED ARC DISCHARGE IN MAGNETIC FIELD:INFLUENCE OF ADDITIONAL DISCHARGE IN E×B FIELDS ON THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARC DISCHARGE IN ZIRCONIUM VAPOR AND THE PARAMETERS OF THE GENERATED PLASMA FLOWS

The article presents the results of study of the non-self-sustained arc discharge with a magnetic field in zirconium vapors and the additional non-self-sustained discharge in E×B fields. Their main characteristics are given. The effect of the additional discharge on the electron temperature, plasma electron density, plasma potential and floating potential in the generated plasma flows of zirconium vapors is shown. It is established that even at low electric power, the additional discharge is able to double the density of plasma electrons in the flows. It is established that the anode potential drop in the arc discharge has a positive value over the entire range of discharge currents and decreases with its increasing. It is shown that the arc discharge in the anode material vapors is capable to generating plasma streams of zirconium vapors with the ionization coefficient from 60 to 90%. It has been established that the additional discharge in E×B fields is capable of increasing the ions fraction in the flows from 75 to 100% even at low arc discharge currents and can be used for the targeted regulation of ion fraction without changing the growth rate of the deposited films and coatings.