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Understanding hollow cathode thrust production mechanisms

Understanding hollow cathode thrust production mechanisms
Understanding hollow cathode thrust production mechanisms
This paper reviews some of the design considerations for improving hollow cathode thrust efficiency and investigates propellant acceleration mechanisms based on experimental testing of a T5, T6 and ¼ inch cathode. A pendulum micro-thrust-balance was built for the measurement of thrust levels in the T5, T6 cathodes while a hemispherical energy analyzer was used for ion energy measurements in the ¼ inch hollow cathode. The data suggest that the thrust mechanism of hollow cathodes is composed primarily of gas dynamic mechanisms, particularly as a result of an intense electron pressure at the cathode exit. At high currents and low flowrates magneto-hydro-dynamic (MHD) forces arising from the self-induced azimuthal magnetic field within the orifice become significant in the acceleration process
hollow cathode, plasma, propulsion
Grubisic, A.N.
a4cab763-bbc0-4130-af65-229ae674e8c8
Gabriel, S.B.
ac76976d-74fd-40a0-808d-c9f68a38f259
Grubisic, A.N.
a4cab763-bbc0-4130-af65-229ae674e8c8
Gabriel, S.B.
ac76976d-74fd-40a0-808d-c9f68a38f259

Grubisic, A.N. and Gabriel, S.B. (2009) Understanding hollow cathode thrust production mechanisms. 31st International Electric Propulsion Conference, Ann Arbor, USA. 20 - 24 Sep 2009. 27 pp .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

This paper reviews some of the design considerations for improving hollow cathode thrust efficiency and investigates propellant acceleration mechanisms based on experimental testing of a T5, T6 and ¼ inch cathode. A pendulum micro-thrust-balance was built for the measurement of thrust levels in the T5, T6 cathodes while a hemispherical energy analyzer was used for ion energy measurements in the ¼ inch hollow cathode. The data suggest that the thrust mechanism of hollow cathodes is composed primarily of gas dynamic mechanisms, particularly as a result of an intense electron pressure at the cathode exit. At high currents and low flowrates magneto-hydro-dynamic (MHD) forces arising from the self-induced azimuthal magnetic field within the orifice become significant in the acceleration process

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Published date: 24 September 2009
Venue - Dates: 31st International Electric Propulsion Conference, Ann Arbor, USA, 2009-09-20 - 2009-09-24
Related URLs:
Keywords: hollow cathode, plasma, propulsion
Organisations: Astronautics Group

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 72469
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/72469
PURE UUID: fe36a322-6402-4690-b4c4-75f0625d2700

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Date deposited: 15 Feb 2010
Last modified: 13 Mar 2024 21:30

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Contributors

Author: A.N. Grubisic
Author: S.B. Gabriel

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