Operational characteristics of a representative Hollow Cathode Electron Emitter (HCE) device with C12A7:e- emitter

Abstract

Ignition and operation testing of the hollow cathode electron emitter (HCE) designed at the Institute of Aerospace Engineering of TUD Dresden University of Technology for the E.T.PACK-Fly in-orbit demonstration (IOD) mission with a C12A7:e- electron emitter. Testing conducted in triode mode with different laboratory electronics (e.g., 100–300 µF), krypton gas, and variable operating parameters (i.e., emission current and mass flow rate).