The Polarization of Resistive Membranes and the Damping Rate of Grid Dampers

Electromagnetic dampers will be employed within the proposed Satellite X-ray Test Facility to attenuate unwanted electromagnetic tank modes. This paper discusses two potential problems concerning the damper and recommends solutions. The membrane polarization difficulty occurs if the damper charges up and creates a field opposite to that of the tank mode which reduces the current and damping within the device. The second problem which is discussed is called the grid inductance problem. The inductance of the wire grid damper can reduce the damping if the inductance causes the current and electric field in the grid to be out of phase.