特集「地球の表面と真空」
マイクロ波放電式プラズマ源の研究開発と応用
キーワード:
ion engine,
electric propulsion,
asteroid sample return,
microwave discharge,
electron cyclotron resonance
2020 年 63 巻 4 号 p. 183-188
詳細
2020 年 63 巻 4 号 p. 183-188
The microwave discharge plasma sources contributed to the reciprocating powered flight between Earth and the asteroids as the main propulsion system of the Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 asteroid explorers, and showed its high performance. The electron cyclotron resonance discharge only heats the electrons and does not induce ion sputtering damage. The reasons of high performance and long life are derived and proved theoretically, experimentally, and in practical use in space. In addition to further space applications, efforts are also being made for industrial applications.
