Characteristics of ring-cusp discharge chambers

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of Propulsion and Power; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/3.23415· OSTI ID:5936293

Matossian, J N; Beattie, J R ^[1]

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1. Hughes Research Laboratories, Malibu, CA (United States)

Measurements have been obtained for the operating characteristics of a 30 cm diameter ring-cusp ion thruster (RCIT), quantitatively comparing its performance parameters to those of a divergent-field J-series cluster of the same size. The high level of performance established for the RCIT is due to its maintenance of both a higher primary-electron population and Maxwellian-electron temperature, as the beam-ion production cost is reduced to its baseline value. Ion losses to the discharge-chamber walls can be reduced by an applied electrostatic field. 18 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5936293
• Journal Information: Journal of Propulsion and Power; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Propulsion and Power; (United States) Vol. 7; ISSN JPPOE; ISSN 0748-4658
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330000* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems
DESIGN
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
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ELEMENTS
ENGINES
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ION THRUSTERS
IONIZATION
NONMETALS
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PROPELLANTS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
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