Initial Performance Evaluation of a Gridded Radio Frequency Ion Thruster

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 645-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Logan T. Williams ◽  
Mitchell L. R. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Ion Thruster

scholarly journals Sputtering of Mo and Ag with xenon ions from a radio-frequency ion thruster

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 045109
Author(s):  
L. J. Buntrock ◽  
C. Volkmar ◽  
K. Hannemann
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Ion Thruster

The impact of neutralizer-free ignition of a radio frequency ion thruster on the lifetime of the ion optics system

2021 ◽  
pp. 2140017
Author(s):  
Long-Fei Ma ◽  
Li Duan ◽  
Jian-Wu He ◽  
Qi Kang ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Pyrolytic Graphite ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Surface Damage ◽  
External Source ◽  
Ion Thruster ◽  
Neutral Gas ◽  
Discharge Ignition ◽  
Ion Optical System ◽  
The Impact

In the initial stage of a radio frequency ion thruster (RIT) ignition, an influx of electrons is required from an external source into the discharge chamber and ionization of the neutral gas propellant. A neutralizer-free method for Townsend breakdown discharge ignition based on Paschen’s law was developed in this study. The feasibility of the ignition method was confirmed by performing thousands of ignition experiments. Metallic Molybdenum (Mo), pyrolytic graphite (PG) and Zr[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]Cu[Formula: see text]Ni[Formula: see text]Be[Formula: see text]alloy acceleration grids were prepared, and ignition-induced damage on the grids was investigated. A field-emission scanning electron microscope was used to inspect surface damage on the grids after multiple ignitions and to analyze the influence of the ignition method on the lifetime of the ion optical system. Grid materials for space missions that require multiple RIT ignitions (10[Formula: see text] should be high-strength blocks that are resistant to sputtering corrosion and high temperature.

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