Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Advanced space propulsion thruster research
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Wilbur, P. J. |
| Copyright Year | 1981 |
| Description | Experiments showed that stray magnetic fields can adversely affect the capacity of a hollow cathode neutralizer to couple to an ion beam. Magnetic field strength at the neutralizer cathode orifice is a crucial factor influencing the coupling voltage. The effects of electrostatic accelerator grid aperture diameters on the ion current extraction capabilities were examined experimentally to describe the divergence, deflection, and current extraction capabilities of grids with the screen and accelerator apertures displaced relative to one another. Experiments performed in orificed, mercury hollow cathodes support the model of field enhanced thermionic electron mission from cathode inserts. Tests supported the validity of a thermal model of the cathode insert. A theoretical justification of a Saha equation model relating cathode plasma properties is presented. Experiments suggest that ion loss rates to discharge chamber walls can be controlled. A series of new discharge chamber magnetic field configurations were generated in the flexible magnetic field thruster and their effect on performance was examined. A technique used in the thruster to measure ion currents to discharge chamber walls is described. Using these ion currents the fraction of ions produced that are extracted from the discharge chamber and the energy cost of plasma ions are computed. |
| File Size | 4079674 |
| Page Count | 162 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19820012368 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t1tf4mp98 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1981-12-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Spacecraft Propulsion And Power Hollow Cathodes Electrostatic Engines Plasmas Physics Saha Equations Magnetic Effects Ion Beams Ion Density Concentration Neutralizers Thermionic Emission Tube Grids Mathematical Models Coupling Electrostatic Propulsion Magnetic Fields Mercury Metal Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
