Energetic ion production and electrode erosion in hollow cathode discharges

Goebel, Dan M.; Jameson, Kristina; Katz, Ira; Mikellides, Ioannis

Energetic ion production and electrode erosion in hollow cathode discharges

Goebel, Dan M.; Jameson, Kristina; Katz, Ira; Mikellides, Ioannis

URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2014/37647

Date: 2005-10

Keywords: ion thruster; electric propulsion; hollow cathode keeper erosion

Publisher: Pasadena, CA : Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2005.

Citation: 29th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Princeton, NJ, October 31 - November 4, 2005

Abstract:

Ions with energies significantly in excess of the discharge voltage have been reported in high current hollow cathode discharges. Models of DC potential hills downstream of the cathode and ion acoustic instabilities in a double layer postulated in the cathode orifice have been proposed to explain these energetic ions, but have not been substantiated in experiments.

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