Nucleation Mechanism of Explosive Destruction of Conductors of High Energy Density

The paper deals with the nucleation mechanism of the loss of thermodynamic equilibrium in systems of high energy density, namely, in current-carrying conductors and in cathode micropoints. The limiting value of energy is discussed which may be introduced into a current-carrying conductor prior to its explosion, as well as the characteristic sizes of droplets during subsequent dispersion, times of delay of micropoint explosions, and other effects accompanying such a mechanism of destruction.