基于镓铯对比的场发射电推力器分析与研制

Analysis and Development of Ga-FEEP Based on Comparison of Gallium and Cesium

为解决场发射电推力器由于液态金属推进剂导致的工程化问题,分析并提出以金属镓替代现有推进剂铯的技术方案。基于推进剂镓铯物性对比,分析其对推力与比冲、发射尖端升温、热蒸发、氧化污染等的影响,论证了金属镓的工程化优势及缺点。通过研制金属镓场发射电推力器原理样机,探索并实现了液态金属镓在大气环境中的加注与润湿,在点火试验中获得准线性场发射形貌,表明金属镓是场发射推力器的良好推进剂替代物。

A technical proposal of using metal Ga instead of Cs was designed to solve the engineering prob-lems of Field Emission Electric Propulsion （FEEP） caused by liquid metal propellant. On the basis of the com-parison of physical property between Ga and Cs,the effects on the thrust,efficiency,specific impulse,emit-ter tip warming,thermal evaporation,oxidation and pollution were listed to indicate the pros and cons of Ga. By developing the principle prototype of Ga-FEEP,liquid metal Ga was successfully filled and wetted under air con-dition. Quasi-linear field emission was observed in ignition experiments. The results indicate that Ga is a good propellant substitution of FEEP.