An approach to utilize Low Energy Surface Flashover (LESF) for triggering the discharge in electric propulsion systems has been demonstrated. LESF uses conventional surface flashover mechanism with limited duration of high-current stage of the flashover below <100-200 ns. This eliminates the damage to the LESF assembly and allows robust operation of the same assembly for >1.510 6 consecutive flashovers. The amount of the seed plasma created in the individual LESF event was demonstrated to be sufficient to trigger a moderate current arc which models a discharge in an electric propulsion system.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract