Electrostatic ion thruster optics calculations

Conference · Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:10118133

Whealton, J H; Raridon, R J ^[1]; Kirkman, D A ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. California Univ., Irvine, CA (United States)

Two- and three-dimensional ion thruster optical calculations including both source and exhaust plasmas are performed. These calculations include both a self-consistent ion source extraction plasma sheath and an explicit computation of the primary ion optics including sheath and electrode induced aberrations. A study determining the effects of beam space charge, accelerator geometry, and properties of the downstream plasma sheath on the position of the electrostatic potential saddle point near the extractor electrode is made. Results of the electron blocking potential barrier height as a function of electrode thickness and secondary plasma processes are described.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 10118133
• Report Number(s): CONF-920747-1-Extd.Abst.; ON: DE92006608; TRN: 92:018375
• Resource Relation: Conference: 28. joint propulsion conference,Nashville, TN (United States),6-8 Jul 1992; Other Information: PBD: [1992]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
ION THRUSTERS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
BEAM OPTICS
PLASMA SHEATH
SPACE CHARGE
ELECTRODES
450000
430301
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
ION SOURCES