Spectroscopic investigations of a field emission generated radiative zone: Mass spectroscopic measurements. Final Report

Technical Report · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6065011

Mitterauer, J

In view of the application of liquid metal field ion sources as electric thrustors for space propulsion, the basic physical features of the field ionization mechanism were analyzed experimentally. An ultrahigh vacuum test chamber and a liquid metal ion source were built. Diagnostic methods, e.g., basic measurements of the emission characteristics, probe measurements of the ion current distribution, mass spectroscopic measurements of the particles emitted from the ion source, and spectroscopic measurements of the visible radiation accompanying field ionization, were developed. Experimental data which can be transferred to prototype field ion thrusters are presented, but experimental facilities limit conclusions regarding theoretical aspects of field ionization.

• Research Organization: Technische Univ., Vienna (Austria)
• OSTI ID: 6065011
• Report Number(s): N-8231499; ESA-CR(P)-1589
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ION PROPULSION
MASS SPECTRA
FIELD EMISSION
ION EMISSION
ION SOURCES
IONIZATION
ULTRAHIGH VACUUM
EMISSION
PROPULSION
SPECTRA
320201* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Transportation- Air & Aerospace
640301 - Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics- Beams & their Reactions