| Numéro |
J. Phys. Colloques
Volume 40, Numéro C7, Juillet 1979
XIVe Conférence Internationale sur les Phénomènes d'Ionisation dans les Gaz / XIVth International Conference on Phenomena in Ionized Gases
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| Page(s) | C7-277 - C7-278 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:19797136 | |
J. Phys. Colloques 40 (1979) C7-277-C7-278
DOI: 10.1051/jphyscol:19797136
OPERATION MODES OF HOLLOW CATHODE ARCS WITH REDUCED GAS FLOW
K.H. Groh1 et S.E. Walther.21 Ist Institute of Physics Giessen University, Heirrich-Buff-Ring 16, D-6300 Giessen, F.R.G.
2 Now with ERNO-Raumfahrttechnik, Bremen
Abstract
In 1971 the first research work on hollow cathode arcs (abbreviated HCA) started at Giessen University. Emphasis has been put on the operation of this hollow cathode arc for the ion beam neutralization of the electric propulsion unit RIT 10. In this application the HCA works as an electron source delivering electrons for main discharge starting and beam neutralization. But beside this, diagnostics have been performed dealing with the physical phenomena of HCA's. Different measurements including Langmuir probe analysis led to a simplified discharge model. The determination of the discharge current parts carried by the cathode and the electron emitter inside the cathode gave us hints to explain the observed operation modes, the plum mode, and the spot mode by assuming an electrical double sheath.