Time-dependent charge-coupled device camera cathode axial temperature measurements obtained from solid tungsten and thoriated-tungsten cathodes in a 30–60 A arc discharge with mass-flow rates varying from 450 to 640 standard cubic centimeters per minute are presented. Recorded thoriated-tungsten temperature measurements adhere to the same trends observed in previous optical pyrometric studies with temperatures ranging from 2300–2500 K at the cathode tip, a peak temperature between 2500–2800 K some short distance upstream, and a corresponding minimum temperature of 2150 K at a location nearly 20 mm from the tip. The cathode axial temperature profiles were compared against those of pure tungsten to illustrate the large temperature-reducing effect lowered work function imposes by increasing thermionic electron emission from the cathode surface. In addition, the surface microstructure and elemental composition of the cathodes were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Multiple runs varying in length and current intensity on thoriated-tungsten cathodes revealed typical pathways of thorium migration as well as changes in surface composition.


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    Titel :

    Thorium Migrational Effects on Cathode Temperature in Electric Thrusters


    Beteiligte:
    Codron, Douglas (Autor:in) / Goodfellow, Keith (Autor:in) / Erwin, Dan (Autor:in)

    Erschienen in:

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    01.01.2013




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch





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