Dynamics of Plasma-Surface Interactions
Abstract
This project explored specific strategies to augment the plasma density surrounding hypersonic vehicles through a novel solid-state device that provides cold-cathode electron ejection. Successive deposition of metallic, insulating, and metallic nanolayers on a glass support formed a metal-insulator-metal(MIM) device. When a voltage bias was applied, the MIM device delivered hot electrons to the metal/vacuum interface from within the solid. These hot electrons have the potential to stimulate nonthermal chemical reactions at the gas/surface interface or supplement the charge density of a plasma above the device. The emitted electrons had a relatively narrow distribution of kinetic energies that could be tuned by altering the bias potential. Design and electronic performance characteristics are reported for operational MIM devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 11, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA423782
Entities
Organizations
- University of Notre Dame