Plasma contacting - An enabling technology

An experimental study of plasma contacting with an emphasis on the electron collection mode of this process is described. Results illustrating variations in plasma property profiles and potential differences that develop at hollow cathode plasma contactors are presented. A model of the electron collection plasma contacting process that is consistent with experimentally measured results is reviewed. The shortcomings of laboratory results as direct predictors of contactor performance in space and their usefulness in validating numerical models of the contacting process, that can be used to predict such performance, are discussed.