Method for generating transition metal positive ion beam and device for method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical fields of electric propulsion systems and ion accelerators of aerospace devices, in particular to a method for generating a transition metal positive ion beam and a device for the method; the method comprises the following steps that a leading-out voltage is applied to an interface between a working substance storage layer and a solid electrolyte membrane, wherein metal is converted into metal ions through a redox reaction; and then the metal ions enter the vacuum through field evaporation, and kinetic energy is obtained under the action of an acceleration voltage to form an ion beam. The device is mainly composed of the working substance storage layer, the solid electrolyte membrane, a heating system and a high-voltage power supply system. A needle point is arranged on the surface of the working substance storage layer, and the surface of the needle point is plated with the solid electrolyte membrane; and a leading-out electrode is a metal net which is made of the same material as the working substance storage layer. The method has the beneficial effects that the ion emission area is enlarged, the beam intensity is improved, the leading-out voltage is lowered, and independent adjustment of the ion beam current intensity and the energy can be realized through two sets of independent power sources.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of electric propulsion systems and ion accelerators of aerospace devices, and in particular relates to a method for generating positive transition metal ion beams and a device used in the method. Background technique [0002] At present, field-assisted thermionic emitter technology based on solid electrolyte (anion conductor) is relatively mature, which can generate negatively charged oxygen ion beams. The electrode of the common scheme is a porous metal film (such as Ag), which is plated on both sides of a thin ceramic plate, and an extraction voltage of about 100-200V is added between the two electrodes. The working substance (oxygen) is close to the cathode end of the emitter. Through electrochemical reactions, oxygen molecules form double-charged oxygen anions on the surface of the cathode and diffuse to the electrolyte. Then, under the action of the electric field generated by the extraction voltage, th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The main disadvantages of this emitter are the high operating temperature (500-700°C), the emitted ions are too light, and the need for special equipment to supply and store gaseous oxygen

these disadvantages limit the application of field-assisted thermionic emitters in small spacecraft such as CubeSats

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