Hollow cathode capable of operating at discharge current below 0.5 A

What is it about?

We present a hollow cathode capable of operating at discharge currents below 0.5 A; therefore suitable for low power Hall and ion thrusters. We present measurements of the potential distribution between the cathode and anode. The measurements are used to assess how the cathode would couple with a low power Hall thruster. We estimate the power consumption of the cathode and its effect on thruster performance.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This is the only hollow cathode, to date, able to operate in self-sustaining mode (no need for keeper PS) at such low current values. The cathode is of heaterless type. In fact, currently this is the only operational heaterless hollow cathode in the world.