Electrostatic Propulsion

Electrostatic Propulsion focuses on issues, trends, and developments in electrostatic propulsion. The compilation is composed of technical papers primarily based on the symposium of the American Rocket Society held at the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California on November 3–4, 1960. The book presents an investigation of the performance of ion rockets employing electron-bombardment ion sources. It also underscores the value of duoplasmatron in ion propulsion. The compilation then looks at the development of a negative ion source. Calibration of mass spectrometer, description of ion source, and the theory of surface ionization are described. The book also discusses experiments on oscillating-electron plasma source; the theory of ion emission from porous media; and the effects of surface structure and adsorption on the ionization efficiency of a surface ionization source. The text also considers a number of experiments, including the space-charge theory for ion beams, circular beam neutralization, and transient and steady state behavior in cesium ion beams. The book is a good source of information for readers wanting to study electrostatic propulsion.

Ion and Plasma Propulsion Committee

Preface

A. Ion Generation

Introduction

Experimental Performance of Ion Rockets Employing Electron-Bombardment Ion Sources

The Duoplasmatron: Theoretical Studies and Experimental Observations

The Development of a Negative Ion Source

Liquid Metal Droplets for Heavy Particle Propulsion

The Oscillating-Electron Plasma Source

Theory of Ion Emission From Porous Media

Characteristics of Porous Surface Ionizers

The Effects of Surface Structure and Adsorption on the Ionization Efficiency of a Surface Ionization Source

B. Ion Acceleration and Impact Effects

Introduction

Multiple Beam Ion Motors

Space-Charge Theory for Ion Beams

Sputtering Due to High Velocity Ion Bombardment

Sputtering of Copper by Ion Bombardment in the Energy Range of 5-25 keV

C. Neutralization

Introduction

A Three Dimensional Calculation of the Effects of Insufficient Space Charge Neutralization on Ion Rockets

Numerical Techniques in the Calculation of Effects of Insufficient Space Charge Neutralization on Ion Rockets

Justification of the Use of the Collisionless Boltzmann Equation for Ion Beam Neutralization Studies

Circular Beam Neutralization

An Electrogasdynamic Approach to the Ion Jet Charge Neutralization Problem

Neutralization of Ion Beams for Propulsion by Electron Trap Formation

Transient and Steady State Behavior in Cesium Ion Beams

Neutralization of Ion Beams

On Ion Rocket Neutralization

Present Status of the Beam Neutralization Problem

D. Techniques and Testing

Introduction

Theory and Application of Hot-Wire Calorimeter for Measurement of Ion Beam Power

Beam Diagnostic Techniques

Diagnostics of the Space Charge Neutralization of Ion Beams by Electron Injection

Engineering Research in Electrostatic Propulsion Devices

Diffusion of Cesium and Ionization on Porous Tungsten

Trajectories and Thrust-Measurement Techniques for Space Testing of Ion Rocket Motors

Instrumentation Program for Ion Engine Testing

Concluding Remarks