Aerospace Contrd and Application ›› 2021, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4): 10-20.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-1579.2021.04.002

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Review on Ignition and Acceleration Mechanisms in a Micro Cathode Arc Thruster

  

  • Online:2021-07-26 Published:2021-07-27

Abstract: Micro cathode vacuum arc thruster has the advantages of simple structure, light weight, low power consumption and high specific impulse, thus has a broad application prospect in the field of space propulsion. Currently, some key problems encountered in the thruster design and development, reliability and lifetime improvement are closely related to the basic physics of the micro cathode vacuum arc discharge process. In this paper, the electron emission, inter electrode arcing process, cathode spot formation and characteristics, ablation and morphological changes, and plasma jet acceleration process involved in the operation of micro cathode arc thruster are reviewed, and the related understanding can lay the foundation for further micro cathode arc thruster design optimization and performance improvement in the future.

Key words: micro cathode arc thruster, electron emission, cathode spot, vacuum arc

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