RÉSUMÉ

This paper presents the results of investigation into the generation of a gas-discharge plasma by an arc source with a cold hollow cathode. The source produces a plasma of density ~10¹⁰−10¹¹ cm⁻³ in a volume of ~0.5 m³ at a discharge current of up to 120 A, a discharge operating voltage of 30−40 V, and at a pressure of 0.1−1 Pa. The motion of a cathode spot in crossed electric and magnetic fields inside the hollow cathode and a special cathode design make it possible to preclude almost completely the penetration of the sputtered cathode material into the working chamber and to increase the lifetime of the cathode. Because the cathode spot operates at an integrally cold surface of the hollow cathode, the source allows generation of a chemically active gas plasma.