Mechanisms of Emitter Surface Damage During Electrohydrodynamic Colloid Particle Generation and Acceleration.
Abstract
This program was directed toward the understanding of the basic colloid thruster generation and acceleration process and the cause of performance degradation. This thruster is applicable for attitude control and stationkeeping on future Air Force satellite missions. A theoretical investigation was made of the process of droplet emission to determine the source of negative ion production causing sputter erosion of the emitter. A model of emitter tip erosion has been developed that correlates with performance degradation. The erosion is caused by back bombardment of the emitter by negative ions produced from the breakup of flow droplets as a result of collisions with fast ions. The calculations were initially made by assuming that the droplets were all the same size rather than using the distribution of droplet sizes actually observed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA055622
Entities
People
- Bernard E. Kalensher
- John F. Mahoney
- Julius Perel