Systems and methods for providing a heaterless hollow cathode for use in electric propulsion devices is presented. According to one aspect the cathode includes a thermionic emitter having a constricted upstream inlet compared to a downstream outlet of the emitter. The emitter is arranged downstream a hollow cathode tube. Constriction of the upstream inlet is provided by an inner cylindrical hollow space at an upstream region of the emitter having a diameter that is smaller compared to a diameter of an inner cylindrical hollow space at a downstream region of the emitter. A hollow transition region having a varying diameter connects the upstream region to the downstream region. According to another aspect, a ratio of the diameters of the two cylindrical hollow spaces reduces penetration of electric field, and therefore of electric discharge, into the upstream region of the emitter during operation.


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    Title :

    HEATERLESS HOLLOW CATHODE


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2021-06-10


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    H01J Elektrische Entladungsröhren oder Entladungslampen , ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS / B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS



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