Vacuum arc trigger systems based on ExB discharges

Triggering systems for vacuum are plasma sources and ion sources have: been developed that make use of a gaseous trigger discharge in a strong magnetic field. Two kinds of trigger discharge configurations have been explored, a Penning discharge and a magnetron discharge. The approach works reliably for low gas pressure in the vacuum are environment and fbr long periods of operation between required maintenance: pressures in the mid-10(-6) Ton range anti for greater than or similar to 10(6) pulses. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.