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Results for “electrodynamics tethers cathodes oxidation”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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NASA NTRS2002

Filed emission cathodes for electrodynamic tethers: identifying compatible cathode materials

Several material combinations were considered as candidates for the electrodynamic tether application in the investigation discussed in this paper. Critical characteristics like work function, resistance, sputter yield and sensitivity to oxidizing environments were considered. The material investigation included, ZrC/Mo, Mo, MgPt, Pt, NbC/Nb, NbNi/Nb, Nb, RuTa/Ta, Ru/Ta and Ta. The results of the measurements suggest that NbC/Nb, NbNi/Nb, and MgPt are the most promising candidates.

electrodynamics tethers cathodes oxidation↗
NASA NTRS2002

Electron Field Emission Properties of Textured Platinum Surfaces

During ground tests of electric microthrusters and space tests of electrodynamic tethers the electron emitters must successfully operate at environmental pressures possibly as high as 1x10(exp -4) Pa. High partial pressures of oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor are expected in such environments. A textured platinum surface was used in this work for field emission cathode assessments because platinum does not form oxide films at low temperatures. Although a reproducible cathode conditioning process did not evolve from this work, some short term tests for periods of 1 to 4 hours showed no degradation of emission current at an electric field of 8 V/mm and background pressures of about 1x10(exp -6) Pa. Increases of background pressure by air flow to about 3x10(exp -4) Pa yield a hostile environment for the textured platinum field emission cathode.

Sovey, James S.↗