A Sablev type Cathodic arc source, which is the most widely used in the West, consists of a short cylindrically shaped, electrically conductive target at the cathode with one open end. This target has an electrically-floating metal ring surrounding it, working as an arc confinement ring (Strel'nitskij shield). The anode for the system can be either the vacuum chamber wall or a discrete anode. Arc spots are generated by a mechanical trigger (or igniter) striking on the open end of the target making a temporary short circuit between the cathode and anode. After the arc spots are generated they can be steered by a magnetic field, or move randomly in absence of magnetic field.