The Theory of Surface Ionization and its Application to Ion Propulsion

Abstract

This paper is a critical review of approximately 100 references on surface ionization and ion propulsion. The Saha-langmuir equation for ahomogeneous surface with no adsorbed atoms is derived. The effects of a heterogeneous surface adsorbed atoms and electric fields are discussed in detail. After a brief description of experimental techniques and the extent to which the theory is confirmed by experiment the application of the theory to ion propulsion is examined. Particular emphasis is placed on the porous plug ionizer. The areas in which future research should be directed are indicated.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0268695

Entities

People

  • Donald D. Mueller

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adsorption
  • Air Force
  • Alkali Metals
  • Band Structures
  • Charged Particles
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Critical Temperature
  • Crystal Lattices
  • Crystal Structure
  • Crystallography
  • Crystals
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Energy Bands
  • Ion Propulsion
  • Materials
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Solid State Physics

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.
  • Theoretical Analysis.