Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Advanced ion thruster research (Document No: 19850010711)
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Wilbur, P. J. |
| Copyright Year | 1985 |
| Description | A series of experiments conducted on a ring cusp magnetic field ion thruster; in which the anode, cathode and discharge chamber backplate were moved relative to the magnetic cusp; are described. Optimum locations for the anode, cathode and backplate which yield the lowest energy cost per plasma ion and highest extracted ion fraction are identified. The results are discussed in terms of simple physical models. The results of preliminary experiments into the operation of hollow cathodes on nitrogen and xenon over a large pressure range (0.1 to 100 Torr) are presented. They show that the cathode discharge transfers from the cathode insert to the exterior edge of the orifice plate as the interelectrode pressure is increased. Experimental evidence showing that a new ion extractor grid concept can be used to stabilize the plasma sheath at the screen grid is presented. This concept, identified by the term constrained sheath optics, is shown to hold ion beamlet divergence and impingement characteristics to stable values as the beamlet current and the net and total accelerating voltages are changed. The current status of a study of beamlet vectoring induced by displacing the accelerator and/or decelerator grids of a three grid ion extraction system relative to the screen grid is discussed. |
| File Size | 2638704 |
| Page Count | 78 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19850010711 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t94798g8s |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1985-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Spacecraft Propulsion And Power Electric Potential Hollow Cathodes Divergence Deflection Xenon Ion Sheaths Gas Pressure Nitrogen Ion Beams Ion Propulsion Ion Engines Ring Discharge Magnetic Fields Anodes Cathodes 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 |
