Vacuum Arc: Theory, Simulation, Experimental Technology and Application

Welcome to the "Vacuum Arc: Theory, Simulation, Experimental Technology and Application" Lecture Series! This event fosters a multidisciplinary exploration of ideas across fundamental science, applied engineering, and industrial practices. Whether you are an electrical engineering or applied physics student, or a professional interested in plasma physics, materials science, and advanced manufacturing technologies, you will gain unique insights and practical knowledge here.

WHY CHOOSE?

✓ Multidisciplinary Integration

Break down disciplinary barriers by merging physics fundamentals, computational modeling, and engineering applications. The course creates a unique "Theory-Simulation-Application" framework, providing a comprehensive understanding of vacuum arc technology.

✓ Progressive Knowledge Structure

Explore the theoretical foundations of vacuum arcs, delve into advanced simulation techniques, and examine cutting-edge experimental methodologies and industrial applications. This structured approach builds a robust knowledge system.

✓ Practice-Oriented Learning

Each theoretical concept is paired with real-world case studies and experimental results, offering practical insights for both research and industrial applications.

CONTENTS:

Module 1: Foundations of Plasma Science This module provides an in-depth exploration of plasma physics and its properties. Lecture 1 focuses on the fundamentals of plasma, including its production methods and the governing equations that describe plasma behavior. Lecture 2 delves into electron emission mechanisms, discharge classifications, and the critical role of sheaths (plasma boundaries) in understanding how plasma interacts with material surfaces. This module also covers essential techniques in plasma diagnostics.

Module 2: Vacuum Arc Technology and Applications Building on the foundational knowledge from Module 1, this module explores the specialized domain of vacuum arcs. Lecture 3 examines cathodic (vacuum) arcs in detail, including cathode processes, cathode spots, plasma expansion, and the unique properties of arc plasmas, along with the formation and impact of macroparticles. Lecture 4 then expands the discussion to the diverse applications of plasmas, with a particular emphasis on cathodic (vacuum) arc plasmas. Lecture 5 offers a historical and technical overview of a Hundred Years of Power Switching Technology in Vacuum, providing valuable insights into the evolution and current state of this technology. This includes their use in deposition processes, ion etching, and the role of vacuum arcs in switching technologies.

Module 3: Development of Vacuum Arc Simulation and Experimental Technology This module explores the evolution and advancements in vacuum arc simulation and experimental techniques. Lecture 6 presents the latest Research Progress on the numerical simulation of multi-component vacuum arcs with different anode modes, highlighting advancements in computational modeling and simulation techniques. Lecture 7 focuses on the behavior and characteristics of Vacuum Arcs in Axial Magnetic Fields, exploring how magnetic fields influence vacuum arc dynamics. Finally, Lecture 8 investigates Vacuum Breakdown at the Nanoscale, covering phenomena such as field emission and electrode deformation, which are crucial for understanding plasma behavior at extremely small scales.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

✓ Electrical engineering and Applied Physics Students — Build a strong theoretical foundation and gain practical insights through case studies and experimental methodologies.

✓ Materials Science Researchers — Explore how plasma interactions affect material properties and processing techniques.

✓ Industrial Professionals and Engineers — Discover innovative applications and theoretical knowledge with practical strategies for plasma-based technologies.

Complete eight lectures to receive an International Summer School certificate issued by Xi'an Jiaotong University.

OUR LECTURERS:

1. André ANDERS

Prof. André ANDERS, Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM)

Ph.D., Prof. em. Applied Physics, Fellow of APS, AVS, IOP, IEEE, has 40 years of experience using, developing and investigating various plasma and ion beam systems, including, but not limited to, thermionic and cathodic (vacuum) arcs, and magnetron and HiPIMS discharges, with applications from electric propulsion to thin film deposition. Recently, he founded Plasma Engineering LLC, a company located in the San Francico Bay Area focused on consulting and educational services related to plasma and ion beam processing. From 2017 until early 2025, he was the Director and CEO of the Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering in Leipzig, Germany, a research institute of about 150 people working on surface engineering physical and chemical and physical methods, and in particular plasma and ion beam technologies. He was appointed Professor of Applied Physics (W3) at Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany, where he taught classes on plasma physics. Before that, from 1992 to 2017, he worked as a Staff Scientist/ Senior Scientist/ Group Leader at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA, and from 1987 to 1991 at the Academy of Science in East Berlin, Germany. He studied physics in Wrocław, Poland, Berlin, (East) Germany, and Moscow (Russia, then Soviet Union), to obtain his PhD degree from Humboldt University in Berlin in 1987. André has authored 3 books and more than 350 peer-reviewed journal papers that are cited over 25,000 times. For ten years (2014-2024) he was the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Applied Physics, and he currently serves as the Interim Editor-in-Chief of Physics of Fluids, both major journals published by AIP Publishing. His work was recognized by several international awards and the election to Fellow of APS, AVS, IEEE, and the Institute of Physics (UK).

2. Lijun WANG

Prof. Lijun WANG, Xi’an Jiaotong University

Lijun Wang is Professor in Department of Electrical Engineering of Xi’an Jiaotong University, State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, IEEE Senior Member. From 2009 to 2010, he is a research scholar with Institutes of Research of Electronics and Applied Physics in University of Maryland, College Park. He is engaged in research of modeling and simulation of vacuum arcs and electrode process, numerical design of power equipment, and atmospheric-pressure plasma processing. He has published more than 250 papers, about 140 refereed papers has been published in Applied Physics Letters, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Journal of Applied Physics, Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics and other Journals. He has 7 invited talks in the IEEE International Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma and Terahertz Science and International Congress on Energy Fluxes and Radiation Effects and also International Conference on Electric Power Equipment-Switching Technology. Lijun Wang had won Second prize of National Award for Progress in Science and Technology of China in 2012, First prize of The Ministry of Education Natural Science Award of China in 2010, Award for Progress in Science and Technology of Shaanxi Province of China in 2020. Lijun Wang also had won two China Top Cited Paper Awards by IOP Publishing group in 2019 and 2020. The related papers have been selected as the Feature Articles or Cover papers in IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Journal of Applied Physics, Plasma Science and Technology.

3. Zhiyuan LIU

Prof. Zhiyuan LIU, Xi’an Jiaotong University

Zhiyuan Liu is Professor of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China. He received the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China, in 2001. From 2001 to 2002, he was a senior engineer in the General Electric Company Research and Development Center (Shanghai), Shanghai, China. Since 2003, he has been working in State key laboratory of electrical insulation and power equipment, department of electrical engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China. Now he is a professor in Xi’an Jiaotong University. He is primarily involved with research and development of high voltage vacuum circuit breakers. He is an IEEE senior member. He is a member of current zero club. He has published 3 books and more than 400 technical papers. He hold more than 100 Chinese patents. He was members of four CIGRE working groups, which were WG A3.27 “The impact of the application of vacuum switchgear at transmission voltages”, JWG A3/B4.34 “Technical requirements and specifications of state-of-the-art DC switching equipment”, WG A3.38 "Shunt Capacitor Switching in Distribution and Transmission Systems: Verification by Tests and Performance in Service", and WG A3.40 “Technical requirements and field experiences with MV DC switching equipment”, respectively.

4. Zongqian SHI

Prof. Zongqian SHI, Xi’an Jiaotong University

Prof. Zongqian Shi was born in 1975. He received the Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and Ph. D. in electrical engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University, in 1997, 2000, and 2004, respectively. He was a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley in 2009. He has been being a professor with Xi’an Jiaotong University since 2011. He was selected for the Ministry of Education's New Century Talent Support Program in 2011. In 2013, he received the Outstanding Young Scientist Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. He serves as the chief scientist of the project of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program. The fields of interest of Prof. Shi include the theory and application of vacuum discharging plasma, DC interruption, and micro-nano electromagnetic technology. He has published over 130 journal papers and has received the Second Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award as well as the First Prize of the Ministry of Education's Natural Science Award.

5. Guodong MENG

Prof. Guodong MENG, Xi’an Jiaotong University

Guodong Meng is Professor with School of Electrical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University. He received his B.S and Ph. D degrees from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2007 and 2014, respectively. Then he worked as postdoctoral associate in School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University (2014-2015), and Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2015-2016). Since 2016, he joined the faculty of School of Electrical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University. He has authored over 70 peer-review papers, including Physical Review Letters, Nature Communications, Physics of Plasmas, etc. His research combines electrical engineering, physics and chemistry to thoroughly explore the interaction between electrical field and electrical materials. His work emphasizes developing innovative experimental techniques and simulation methods to investigate the field emission behaviors, materials structure evolution, and electrical breakdown theory in the microscale and nanoscale levels, as well at the plasma-assisted energy conversion for carbon oxidation utilization. Additionally, his work also includes the design and fabrication of two-dimensional materials based advanced sensors, and applying them to the state monitoring for power equipment.

LECTURES SCHEDULE

FORMAT：

The lecture series combines both online and offline formats, delivered in English via teams and on-site sessions.

SCHEDULE:

Registration Deadline: July 31, 2025

Lecture Schedule: As the timetable above. Any changes will be notified by QQ or email.

ELIGIBILITY:

Undergraduate and graduate students worldwide in electrical engineering and applied physics fields may apply. Lectures also open to all individuals with an interest in the lecture topics.

The course is offered free of charge.

REGISTRATION:

Peolpe interested in this course should click the registration link: https://docs.qq.com/form/page/DUEhxWENNTk1GUVJV

Join our QQ group for more course information:

164088774                 1047737658

CONTACT：

Lijun WANG, Runming ZHANG

E-maill：lijunwang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn

E-maill：764441875@qq.com