Improvement of Radio Frequency Plasma Cathode and its Application to Ion Thruster

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In order to improve performances of radio frequency plasma cathode, ignition capability and electron emission characteristics were investigated, parametrically. Moreover, plasma diagnostic in a cathode chamber was carried out. It was cleared that the pressure in the chamber and the electric field formed by an electrode for ion collection were dominant to the ignition. In addition, it was also revealed that there exists an optimum pressure for electron emission, where depends on saturation current of ion and/or electron. On the basis of the results, a new cathode was designed, constructed and demonstrated. As the result, electric power consumption was reduced by half for equivalent electron emission. This study will be valuable for practical application to the ion thruster or its neutralizer.