A Faceted Magnetron Concept Using Field Emission Cathodes

TUNING THE CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE AND MORPHOLOGY OF NANOCRYSTALLINE CaB6 FILMS DEPOSITED BY DC MAGNETRON SPUTTERING OPTYMALIZACJA STRUKTURY KRYSTALOGRAFICZNEJ I MORFOLOGII NANOKRYSTALICZNYCH WARSTW CaB6 NANIESIONYCH METODĄ NAPYLANIA MAGNETRONOWEGO

Through changing the argon pressure, CaB6 films with different crystallographic orientation and morphology on glass substrates were prepared by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering method. The film textures, crystallite sizes, composition and morphology were investigated by a spectrum of characterizing techniques in terms of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microsco...

Physics of arcing, and implications to sputter deposition

Arc and glow discharges are defined based on their cathode processes. Arcs are characterized by collective electron emission, which can be stationary with hot cathodes (thermionic arcs), or nonstationary with cold cathodes (cathodic arcs). A brief review on cathodic arc properties serves as the starting point to better understand arcing phenomena in sputtering. Although arcing occurs in both me...

Demonstration of Field Emission Cathode Operation in a Plasma Environment

Field emission cathodes are being considered for use on low-power electrostatic and electromagnetic propulsion systems as well as on electrodynamic tether systems. In these systems, field emission cathodes prevent negative spacecraft charging by emitting a lowpower electron beam that is accommodated by the ambient plasma. Prototype cathodes were tested at the University of Michigan as part of a...

Phase Control and Fast Start-Up of a Magnetron Using Modulation of an Addressable Faceted Cathode

Field Emission Cathodes used in the FEGI Get-Away-Special Shuttle Mission

Field emission cathodes are presently being developed as low-power space electric propulsion neutralizers and for spacecraft charge control and electrodynamic tether applications requiring no consumables. These cathodes effect cold electron emission by the application of a relatively high electric field across a small gap from some kind of electron emitting (cathode) surface. Various designs of...