NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Atomic oxygen beam source for erosion simulationA device for production of low-energy (5-10 eV) neutral atomic beams for surface modification studies, which recreates the flux of atomic oxygen in LEO, is described. The beam is produced by acceleration of plasma ions onto a negatively biased plate of high-Z metal; the ions are neutralized and reflected by the surface, retaining a large fraction of their incident kinetic energy, forming a beam of atoms. The device is based on a magnetically confined (3-4 kG) coaxial plasma source and the atom energy can be varied by adjusting the bias voltage. The source provides a neutral flux of roughly 5 x 10 to the 16th/sq cm/s at a distance of 10 cm and a fluence of roughly 10 to the 21st/sq cm in five hours. The source has been characterized with plasma diagnostics and by measuring the energy of an atomic argon beam using a mass spectrometer. Samples of carbon film, carbon-based paint, Kapton, Mylar, and Teflon exposed to atomic O beams show erosion quite similar to those observed in orbit on the Space Shuttle.
Document ID
19910065184
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cuthbertson, J. W.
(Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)
Langer, W. D.
(Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)
Motley, R. W.
(Princeton University NJ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Annual Meeting of the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society
Location: Anaheim, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: February 17, 1990
End Date: February 22, 1990
Sponsors: Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, ASM International
Accession Number
91A49807
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASA ORDER H-83097-B
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available