The results of an experimental study showing that a contoured, fine wire mesh attached to the screen grid can be used to control the divergence characteristics of ion beamlets produced at low net-to-total accelerating voltage ratios are presented. The influence of free and constrained-sheath optics systems on beamlet divergence characteristics are found to be similar in the operating regime investigated, but it was found that constrained-sheath optics systems can be operated at higher perveance levels than free-sheath ones. The concept of a fine wire interference probe that can be used to study ion beamlet focusing behavior is introduced. This probe is used to demonstrate beamlet focusing to a diameter about one hundreth of the screen grid extraction aperture diameter. Additional testing is suggested to define an optimally contoured mesh that could yield well focused beamlets at net-to-total accelerating voltage ratios below about 0.1.


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    Title :

    Constrained sheath optics for high thrust density, low specific impulse ion thrusters


    Additional title:

    Begrenzende Umhuellung fuer Ionentriebwerke mit hoher Schubdichte und niedrigem spezifischem Impuls


    Contributors:
    Wilbur, P.J. (author) / Han, J.Z. (author)

    Published in:

    AIAA-Papers ; May ; 1-9


    Publication date :

    1987


    Size :

    9 Seiten, 15 Bilder, 10 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English