论文信息 - Characterisation of the high current hollow cathode for the T6 ion thruster

Characterisation of the high current hollow cathode for the T6 ion thruster

This paper describes the work undertaken to characterise the hollow cathode designed for the T6 Kaufman-type ion thruster. This 22 cm device is intended to produce a nominal thrust of 150 mN, but is also designed to operate over wide ranges of thrust and specific impulse, using xenon propellant. It requires discharge currents of up to 30 A, depending on conditions. The cathode is based on that used in the earlier UK-25 thruster, but adopts the more reliable constructional and heater technologies of the T5 thruster programme. The characterisation was undertaken using comprehensive instrumentation, including the measurement of internal xenon pressure and of flowrate in real-time. It was found that the cathode-keeper distance has an important influence on operating phenomena, but that the cathode orifice diameter has less effect that expected. Under certain conditions, the cathode operates stably at two different currents, but not at intermediate values.

David Fearn | Stephen Patterson | Stephen Patterson | D. Fearn

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