Reproducibility of Operating Potentials for a C12A7 Electride Plasma-Based Cathode with Constant Keeper Current Control

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Hollow Cathodes are fundamental components for electric propulsion systems. In recent publications, the performance of a planar C12A7 electride cathode has been presented with promising results. This includes the endurance operation of the cathode, the heaterless ignition cycling, and the general performance mapping over a wide range of parameters. The present publication will add to these publications, presenting results of only one defined set of discharge parameters, allowing a statistical evaluation of repeated discharge operations. Overall, exceptable repeatability of the performance could be evaluated, confirming the overall performance trends observed in previous campaigns. The cathode was operated in self-heating mode using krypton as propellant in a current range of 100 mA to 600 mA. A discharge potential of 30 V with a slight increase for lower discharge currents is reported. Furthermore, means to reduce the variation in the test results by increasing the keeper current have been identified.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number22
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Electric Propulsion
Volume3 (2024)
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 8 Oct 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85206162974
ORCID /0000-0002-7406-7588/work/172571156

Keywords

Keywords

  • C12A7 electride ceramic, Disc-shaped cathode, Discharge characteristic, Heaterless cathode