Title :
Visible Plume From a Low-Power ECR Waveguide Plasma Cathode for Electric Propulsion Systems
Author :
Weatherford, Brandon R. ; Foster, John E. ; Kamhawi, Hani
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Nucl. Eng. & Radiol. Sci., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Abstract :
A waveguide ECR plasma cathode is being investigated as a long-lived alternative to thermionic emitter-based electron sources for ion beam neutralization in electric propulsion systems. The present device can deliver up to 4.2 A of electron current, on argon or xenon, with low power consumption and high gas utilization.
Keywords :
argon; electric propulsion; electron sources; plasma filled waveguides; plasma sources; thermionic cathodes; xenon; Ar; Xe; electric propulsion systems; electron current; gas utilization; ion beam neutralization; low-power ECR waveguide plasma cathode; power consumption; thermionic emitter-based electron sources; visible plume; Apertures; Cathodes; Electromagnetic heating; Microwave antennas; Microwave devices; Plasmas; Propulsion; Electron sources; plasma sources; propulsion;
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
Conference_Location :
5/12/2011 12:00:00 AM
DOI :
10.1109/TPS.2011.2138722
