The hunting effect.

From the standpoint of the ectonic model of the cathode spot, an explanation is given for the physical effect consisting in the appearance of dense plasma formations near the cathode. It is shown that their occurrence is associated with the interaction of liquid metal droplets and plasma jets emitted by cathode spots. The charge composition and velocities of the directed motion of the ions of the arc plasma generated in the ectonic processes are formed in a narrow region of the order of the micrometer. Therefore, in the initial stage of expansion due to the high concentration of electrons and ions in the plasma jet accumulates high energy density. Due to the large difference in the velocities of the plasma and droplets, a situation arises when a cathode plasma jet enters the droplet. By analogy with the shot of a hunter on a flying bird, the phenomenon is called "hunting effect".

The process of interaction of liquid metal droplets and plasma jets in the near-cathode region of the vacuum arc is considered from the position of the ectonic model of the cathode spot. It is shown that the heating of a drop located in the zone of cathode spot functioning can lead to its transition to the plasma state.