Investigation of the operation of a microwave autogenerator with emitters of various designs

Abstract

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of 15 design versions of capacitive and induction type microwave antennas. As part of the work on the development of an accelerator ion thruster, 32 radiator designs were studied. The research was carried out in order to select the optimal design of a plasma-generating microwave antenna for installation in the discharge chamber of a prototype ion thruster. The volt-ampere characteristics (VAC) were obtained the microwave generator when working with each design of the radiator in a vacuum chamber. The VAC is obtained in the presence and absence of a high-frequency discharge.