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15 cm cusped magnetic field mercury ion thruster researchThe importance of achieving a uniform current density in the exhaust beam of an electrostatic ion thruster is discussed in terms of thrust level and accelerator grid lifetime. A neutral residence time approach is used to propose a magnetic field geometry which should produce a highly uniform beam current density. The discharge chamber length to diameter ratio is shown to be an important optimization parameter and experimental evaluation of the cusped field thruster over a wide range of this parameter is presented. Beam profile measurements 5 cm downstream of the accelerator grid indicate a beam profile flatness parameter which is 25% greater than the SERT II value. Flatness parameters extrapolated to the plane of the accelerator grid are demonstrated to be as high as 0.9.
Document ID
19750040928
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Beattie, J. R.
Wilbur, P. J.
(Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colo., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1975
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 75-429
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Electric Propulsion Conference
Location: New Orleans, LA
Start Date: March 19, 1975
End Date: March 21, 1975
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Accession Number
75A25000
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-06-002-112
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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