Publication

Investigation of surface charging characteristics of ion-irradiated alumina ceramics: Transition from secondary electron emission to charge injection

2025

Abstract

Abnormal electrical breakdowns have been observed in the grid system of ion thrusters during both ground tests and space missions, leading to severe discharge-induced damage. Alumina ceramic, commonly used as an insulating material in grid systems, is subject to surface modification under ion beam irradiation, which in turn significantly alters its surface charging behavior. In this study, we systematically investigated the charging characteristics of alumina ceramics after Xe+ ion irradiation, including trap distribution, surface resistivity, and surface potential. Our results demonstrate that the dominant charging mechanism shifts from secondary electron emission to charge injection after irradiation. Prolonged ion irradiation results in increased surface negative charge accumulation, which increases the risk of insulation failure. Furthermore, a self-consistent electron transport model is employed to support the experimental measurement. This work aims to establish the intrinsic link between ion irradiation damage and insulation degradation, contributing to uncovering the underlying physical mechanisms of abnormal discharges in ion thruster grid systems.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/0d2cd03e-e41d-4fb1-aab4-06589225d86a

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2025

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/0d2cd03e-e41d-4fb1-aab4-06589225d86a

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Ion thruster

An ion thruster, ion drive, or ion engine is a form of electric propulsion used for spacecraft propulsion. It creates thrust by accelerating ions using electricity. An ion thruster ionizes a neutral gas by extracting some electrons out of atoms, creating a cloud of positive ions. Ion thrusters are categorized as either electrostatic or electromagnetic. Electrostatic thruster ions are accelerated by the Coulomb force along the electric field direction.

Gridded ion thruster

The gridded ion thruster is a common design for ion thrusters, a highly efficient low-thrust spacecraft propulsion method running on electrical power by using high-voltage grid electrodes to accelerate ions with electrostatic forces. The ion engine was first demonstrated by German-born NASA scientist Ernst Stuhlinger, and developed in practical form by Harold R. Kaufman at NASA Lewis (now Glenn) Research Center from 1957 to the early 1960s. The use of ion propulsion systems were first demonstrated in space by the NASA Lewis "Space Electric Rocket Test" (SERT) I and II.

Plasma propulsion engine

A plasma propulsion engine is a type of electric propulsion that generates thrust from a quasi-neutral plasma. This is in contrast with ion thruster engines, which generate thrust through extracting an ion current from the plasma source, which is then accelerated to high velocities using grids/anodes. These exist in many forms (see electric propulsion). However, in the scientific literature, the term "plasma thruster" sometimes encompasses thrusters usually designated as "ion engines".

Related publications (15)

Investigation of surface charging characteristics of ion-irradiated alumina ceramics: Transition from secondary electron emission to charge injection

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