Development of the temperature in a metallic current constriction

Abstract

We shall consider contacts that are heated either by the current which they transport or by heat developed in the contact surface by friction for instance. In the case of heat generated by friction, we anticipate certain problems that, really, belong to Part III. This has the purpose to achieve a certain unity in the exposition. Equilibrium states have been treated in the foregoing chapters, but in many problems, for instance those concerning moving contacts, one deals with contacts of very short transient duration. Under this condition, the temperature does not reach equilibrium in the constriction. In order to obtain a clear conception of this behavior, it is important to know how the temperature is distributed in the constriction of the a-spots at various stages of heating.

In a semiconducting member, the space charge of the barrier readjusts itself by means of diffusion. This may require more time than heating the constriction in the member.