@inproceedings{654705e58d7c4c9abf98f1b0551cfbdd,
title = "IR-assisted discharge initiation in pulsed plasma thrusters",
abstract = "It is demonstrated that a discharge can be initiated in a pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) at an undervoltage by shining an IR laser pulse on the thruster's backplate. The technique has the potential for achieving uniform and erosion-free discharge initiation. Three candidate mechanisms are investigated: thermionic emission, cathode vaporization, and gas desorption. Mass spectroscopic measurements and theoretical calculations implicate water desorption from the backplate as the likely explanation for the observed effects. It is then shown that while thermionic emission was not operative in the experiments, it can be used as the basis of the design of a discharge initiator.",
author = "Cooley, \{James E.\} and Choueiri, \{Edgar Y.\}",
year = "2002",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9781624101151",
series = "38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit",
booktitle = "38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit",
note = "38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit 2002 ; Conference date: 07-07-2002 Through 10-07-2002",
}