Ion acceleration in a radio frequency driven ferroelectric plasma source

Abstract

Ion emission from ferroelectric plasma sources driven by radio frequency (RF) applied voltage is studied. An experimental investigation of particle emission from lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics driven by bursts of seven cycles of RF voltage at 248 kHz has revealed significant ion current emission. Measured electron to ion peak current ratios ranged from 11 to 19, which is much lower than the expected thermal current ratio. These results indicate that the ions are being preferentially accelerated. An analysis of the ponderomotive force on the ions and electrons reveals that it may be responsible for acceleration of the ions. The ferroelectric plasma is examined as a possible micropropulsion thruster. Performance estimates based on the ponderomotive acceleration calculations predict specific impulse of 2000-3000 s, thrust of 0.1-1 mN, and specific power of 15 W/mN. These estimates are compared to existing micropropulsion concepts, revealing the attractiveness of ferroelectric plasma sources.

A piezoelectrically driven ion diode neutron source for active interrogation

“…In the experiment, argon gas was used as the supply gas and the mass flow was controlled at two flow rates. The indicated PTPS chamber pressures were calculated using established relation-ships [4]. An aperture diameter I ion = 550 nm and a separation distance d = 2.3 cm were used for the data presented.…”

Characterization of a Ferroelectric Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Source

“…Two additional phenomena have been found to improve the characteristics of emission from ferroelectric ceramics, the deposition of thin films [22], [26], and the use of RF to repetitively apply an electric field [26]. The RF-driven source was shown to accelerate ions via the ponderomotive force, leading to the development of the ferroelectric plasma thruster [23], [24].…”

23 GHz ferroelectric electron gun based gyrotron

“…Ferroelectric cathodes have been intensively studied in recent years, 1,2 both to define the emission physics, as well as to examine their applicability as a source for electron tubes along with other applications. 3,4 The ferroelectric cathode has several advantages over the conventional thermionic cathode, such as high current, 5,6 low cost, simple handling, a requirement of modest vacuum conditions, cold operation, and versatile shaping.…”