DIAGNOSTICS OF LOW-SPACIFIC-CHARGE COLLOID ION BEAM
Abstract
As part of an in-house colloid diagnostic program, the first detailed mapping of propellant mass flow distribution from a colloid source was completed, and the program has shown the influence of anisotropic or non-uniform flow conditions within the beam on the efficiency of source operation. The operating conditions of high propellant feed pressure, low voltage, and high resistivity of the sodium iodide/glycerol propellant, which created a very low specific charge beam, caused a nonuniform distribution of specific charge and beam current as function of beam divergence half angle. The assumption of uniform beam conditions would result in a 12% error in computing thrust and a 25% error in determining overall efficiency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0692101
Entities
People
- Jack W. Geis
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory