Improved operation of the nonambipolar electron source.
Improved operation of the nonambipolar electron source.
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改进了非双极性电子源的操作。
DOI:
10.1063/1.2979012
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发表时间:
2008
期刊:
影响因子:
--
通讯作者:
N. Hershkowitz
中科院分区:
文献类型:
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作者:
B. Longmier;N. Hershkowitz
Significant improvements have been made to the nonambipolar electron source (NES), a radio frequency (rf) plasma-based electron source that does not rely on electron emission at a cathode surface [B. Longmier, S. Baalrud, and N. Hershkowitz, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 113504 (2006)]. A prototype NES has produced 30 A of continuous electron current, using 2 SCCM (SCCM denotes cubic centimeter per minute at STP) Xe, 1300 W rf power at 13.56 MHz, yielding a 180 times gas utilization factor. A helicon mode transition has also been identified during NES operation with an argon propellant, using 15 SCCM Ar, 1000 W rf, and 100 G magnetic field. This NES technology has the ability to replace hollow cathode electron sources and to enable high power electric propulsion missions, eliminating one of the lifetime restrictions that many ion thrusters have previously been faced with.