Microfabrication and test of an integrated colloid thruster

Krpoun, Renato; Rdber, M.; Shea, Herbert

doi:10.1109/memsys.2008.4443818

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Our analysis as to how surface flashover voltage can be improved has not only step-changing applications for ion trap arrays but also for other microfabricated and MEMS devices operating in vacuum, such as nanoelectrospray thruster arrays for spacecraft [1][2][3][4] and spacecraft solar arrays, [5][6][7] where high electric fields are desired. Further improvements may also be found by adjusting sample preparation prior to testing.…”

Section: à4mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Increased surface flashover voltage in microfabricated devices

Sterling

Hughes

Mellor

et al. 2013

Applied Physics Letters

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With the demand for improved performance in microfabricated devices, the necessity to apply greater electric fields and voltages becomes evident. When operating in vacuum, the voltage is typically limited by surface flashover forming along the surface of a dielectric. By modifying the fabrication process, we have discovered it is possible to more than double the flashover voltage. Our finding has significant impact on the realization of next-generation micro-and nano-fabricated devices and for the fabrication of on-chip ion trap arrays for the realization of scalable ion quantum technology. V C 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.[http://dx

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Section: à4mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These include space applications, such as nanoelectrospray thruster arrays for spacecraft [1][2][3][4] and spacecraft solar arrays, [5][6][7] to earth bound applications, such as field emitter arrays. Most recently, they have become a crucial tool for the realization of quantum technologies based on ion traps.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased surface flashover voltage in microfabricated devices

Sterling

Hughes

Mellor

et al. 2013

Applied Physics Letters

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“…Another approach to integrated MEMS colloid thrusters is described in [24][25] [26], where arrays of micromachined ion sources using ionic liquids as fuel are used to create highly modulable thrust. Yet another approach is to microfabricate arrays of explosive microthrusters which consist of micromachined cavities filled with solid propellant.…”

Section: Optical Switching and Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

MEMS for pico- to micro-satellites

Shea

2009

SPIE Proceedings

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MEMS sensors, actuators, and sub-systems can enable an important reduction in the size and mass of spacecrafts, first by replacing larger and heavier components, then by replacing entire subsystems, and finally by enabling the microfabrication of highly integrated picosats. Very small satellites (1 to 100 kg) stand to benefit the most from MEMS technologies. These small satellites are typically used for science or technology demonstration missions, with higher risk tolerance than multi-ton telecommunication satellites. While MEMS are playing a growing role on Earth in safetycritical applications, in the harsh and remote environment of space, reliability is still the crucial issue, and the absence of an accepted qualification methodology is holding back MEMS from wider use. An overview is given of the range of MEMS applications in space. An effective way to prove that MEMS can operate reliably in space is to use them in space: we illustrate how Cubesats (1 kg, 1 liter, cubic satellites in a standardized format to reduce launch costs) can serve as low-cost vectors for MEMS technology demonstration in space. The Cubesat SwissCube developed in Switzerland is used as one example of a rapid way to fly new microtechnologies, and also as an example of a spacecraft whose performance is only possible thanks to MEMS.Keywords: MEMS, spacecraft, satellites, nanosatellites, cubesats, space OVERVIEW OF MEMS APPLICATIONS IN SPACEIn 2008 the market for MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) devices was nearly $8 Billion according to Yole Développement [1]. MEMS encompass an enormous range of applications, from RF switching to projection display to inertial sensors to implantable pumps. Combining low mass, low power consumption, small volume and possible integration with control and sense electronics, MEMS seem ideal for space applications, where it costs approximately 10'000 $ to place one kg in low Earth orbit (LEO).Reliability is a key concern for spacecraft, in view of the very larger development costs, near impossibility of repair (the service missions to the Hubble Space Telescope are the notable exception), and limited launch slots. One major difference between operation on Earth and in Space is the radiation level [2]. Other space-specific reliability concerns are thermal cycling and thermal shocks, vibration and mechanical shock at launch and stage/heat shield separation, and operation in very high vacuum. The typical service life of a telecommunication satellite is 15 years, during which time the spacecraft must operate continuously and flawlessly. For this reason, and because of the need for radiation tolerance, new technologies are generally accepted in space applications only many years later than in consumer electronics, except for cases where a new technology is required for a mission, or allows dramatic performance enhancement or mass reduction. This was the case for instance for FPGAs and is now the case for MEMS.The fraction of the $8 Billion MEMS market for space is very small, and MEMS for use in space ...

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“…2 and features capillaries with 20 μm diameter and 70 μm height and extractor electrodes with 120 and 140 μm diameter spaced as close as 5 μm from the emitter tip. 8 The SEM photograph in fig. 3a shows an array of emitters having a pitch of 250 μm.…”

Section: A Geometrymentioning

confidence: 99%