A compact lanthanum hexaboride hollow cathode has been developed for space applications where size and mass are important and research and industrial applications where access for implementation might be limited. The cathode design features a refractory metal cathode tube that is easily manufactured, mechanically captured orifice and end plates to eliminate expensive e-beam welding, graphite sleeves to provide a diffusion boundary to protect the LaB6 insert from chemical reactions with the refractory metal tube, and several heater designs to provide long life. The compact hollow cathode assembly including emitter, support tube, heater, and keeper electrode is less than 2 cm in diameter and has been fabricated in lengths of 6–15 cm for different applications. The cathode has been operated continuously at discharge currents of 5–60 A in xenon. Slightly larger diameter versions of this design have operated at up to 100 A of discharge current.
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August 2010
Research Article|
August 26 2010
Compact lanthanum hexaboride hollow cathode Available to Purchase
Dan M. Goebel;
Dan M. Goebel
a)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
California Institute of Technology
, Pasadena, California 91109, USA
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Ronald M. Watkins
Ronald M. Watkins
Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
California Institute of Technology
, Pasadena, California 91109, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Dan M. Goebel
a)
Ronald M. Watkins
Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
California Institute of Technology
, Pasadena, California 91109, USA
a)
Electronic mail: [email protected].
Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 083504 (2010)
Article history
Received:
March 17 2010
Accepted:
July 05 2010
Citation
Dan M. Goebel, Ronald M. Watkins; Compact lanthanum hexaboride hollow cathode. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 1 August 2010; 81 (8): 083504. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3474921
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