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Measurements of particle emission from discharge sites in Teflon irradiated by high energy electron beamsAnomalous behavior of synchronous orbit satellites manifested by overall degradation of system performance and reduced operating life is associated with electrical discharges resulting from differential charging of the spacecraft surface by fluxes of high energy electrons. During a laboratory simulation silver-backed Teflon samples have been irradiated by electron beams having energies in the range 16-26 keV. Charged particles emitted from the resultant electrical discharges have been measured with a biased Faraday cup and retarding potential analyser. Measurements indicate the presence of two distinct fluxes of particles, the first being an early pulse (0-600ns) of high energy (about 7keV) electrons, while the second is a late pulse (1-5 microseconds) of low energy electrons (less than 1eV) and ions (70eV) leaving the discharge site as a quasi plasma. Calculations indicate an electrostatic field as the dominant accelerating mechanism for charged particles.
Document ID
19800035608
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hazelton, R. C.
Churchill, R. J.
Yadlowsky, E. J.
(Kollmorgen Corp. Radford, Va., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1979
Subject Category
Solid-State Physics
Accession Number
80A19778
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-3145
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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