Optimization of discharge triggering in micro-cathode vacuum arc thruster for CubeSats

The ignition and optimization of the pulsed micro-cathode triggerless vacuum arc thruster model are analyzed. To this end a simplified model of the thruster consisting of two rectangular electrodes on an alumina ceramic plate with a variable inter-electrode gap covered by a conductive film of carbon...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plasma sources science & technology 2018-07, Vol.27 (7), p.74001
Main Authors: Zolotukhin, D B, Keidar, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
micro-cathode thruster lifetime
plasma propulsion
vacuum arc thrusters
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The ignition and optimization of the pulsed micro-cathode triggerless vacuum arc thruster model are analyzed. To this end a simplified model of the thruster consisting of two rectangular electrodes on an alumina ceramic plate with a variable inter-electrode gap covered by a conductive film of carbon paint is considered. It is shown that after optimizing the inter-electrode gap, the electrical power and the value of the magnetic field parallel to the film surface, such an 'idealized' thruster model can provide up to 1.2-1.3 million pulses with a high degree of stability of ignition and a large amplitude of arc current. These findings may be used in designing long-life and durable low-power micro-cathode thrusters with rigidly fixed, unmovable electrodes. We also propose the concept of a modular thruster consisting of separate elementary consumable thrusters-the modular thruster lifetime increases with the number of these elementary thrusters.
ISSN:0963-0252
1361-6595
1361-6595
DOI:10.1088/1361-6595/aacdb0