Development of a Laser-Electrostatic Hybrid Acceleration Propulsion System

Abstract

The speed and number of ions in a laser-electrostatic hybrid thruster were experimentally estimated using a Faraday cup for various electrode configurations to determine the optimum electrode geometry. The results showed that, for a 10-mm-diameter electrode placed in front of a laser ablation target, the speed of ions increased with target voltages. The ion speeds, measured 80 mm away from the target, were 16 km/s and 32 km/s for target voltages of 0 V and 500 V, respectively, for a target–electrode gap of 20 mm.