Long lifetime hollow cathodes for 30-cm mercury ion thrusters | Zendy

Michael J. Mirtich | Zendy; W. R. Kerslake | Zendy

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Long lifetime hollow cathodes for 30-cm mercury ion thrusters

Author(s) -

Michael J. Mirtich,

W. R. Kerslake

Publication year - 1976

Publication title -

nasa sti repository (national aeronautics and space administration)

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Conference proceedings

DOI - 10.2514/6.1976-985

Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , cathode , ion , ion thruster , materials science , atomic physics , electrical engineering , physics , computer science , engineering , programming language , quantum mechanics

An experimental investigation of hollow cathodes for 30-cm Hg bombardment thrusters was carried out. Both main and neutralizer cathode configurations were tested with both rolled foil inserts coated with low work function material and impregnated porous tungsten inserts. Temperature measurements of an impregnated insert at various positions in the cathode were made. These, along with the cathode thermal profile are presented. A theory for rolled foil and impregnated insert operation and lifetime in hollow cathodes is developed. Several endurance tests, as long as 18,000 hours at emission currents of up to 12 amps were attained with no degradation in performance.

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