Visible Plume From a Low-Power ECR Waveguide Plasma Cathode for Electric Propulsion Systems

摘要

A waveguide ECR plasma cathode is being investigated as a long-lived alternative to thermionic emitter-based electron sources for ion beam neutralization in electric propulsion systems. The present device can deliver up to 4.2 A of electron current, on argon or xenon, with low power consumption and high gas utilization.