Two-Dimensional Micro-Colloid Thruster Fabrication: Holey Fiber Technology for Colloid Thruster Emitter Clusters
Abstract
In the field of electric space propulsion, specifically colloidal propulsion, there have been significant improvements in 1-D micro-fabricated arrays operating in the single Taylor cone per emitter regime. Unfortunately, this arrangement will necessitate the construction of very large colloidal thrusters inefficiently utilizing a very limited amount of area to produce suitable thrust. To maximize the density of individual colloidal emitters per unit area, a 2-D array is required. This utilization of a 2-D colloidal thruster array will provide a much greater thrust density. The current state of the art technology used to create compact 2-D thrusters is to use MEMS-based devices. Although very efficient in the use of material, MEMS based devices can be tricky to get "just right," and the associated production costs can be prohibitive. An alternative to creating a 2-D colloidal thruster as a MEMS-based device would be to use commercially available fiber-optic cables constructed in such a way as to have a geometrically symmetrical arrangement of uniform holes running the length of the glass optical fiber. These optical fibers are commonly referred to as "Holey" fibers. Connecticut Analytical Corporation has been investigating the properties of these Holey fibers as to their use in ElectroSpray applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 03, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA436287
Entities
People
- David Lavan
- Joseph J. Bango Jr.
- Juan F. De La Mora
- Michael Dziekan