Device generates argon, krypton, or xenon plasma via thermionic emission and electrical discharge within hollow cathode and ejects plasma into surrounding vacuum. Goes from cold start up to full operation in less than 5 s after initial application of power. Exposed to moist air between operations without significant degradation of starting and running characteristics. Plasma generated by electrical discharge in cathode barrel sustained and aided by thermionic emission from emitter tube. Emitter tube does not depend on rare-earth oxides, making it vulnerable to contamination by exposure to atmosphere. Device modified for use as source of plasma in laboratory experiments or industrial processes.
Hollow-Cathode Source Generates Plasma
NASA Tech Briefs ; 13 , 8
1989-08-01
Miscellaneous
No indication
English
Hollow cathode plasma source for active spacecraft charge control
Tema Archive | 1987
|Interaction of a hollow-cathode source with an ionospheric plasma
Elsevier | 1989
|Hollow cathode plasma penetration study
TIBKAT | 1966
|Mercury hollow cathode plasma bridge neutralizers
AIAA | 1967
|Mercury hollow cathode plasma bridge neutralizers.
AIAA | 1968
|