PLASMA ACCELERATOR WITH CLOSED ELECTRON DRIFT Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: plasma technology, development of electrorocket engines and technological plasma accelerators. SUBSTANCE: plasma accelerator with closed electron drift has dielectric discharge chamber 6 with outer and inner ring-shaped walls forming acceleration channel, magnetic system with sources 3 of magnetic force, magnetic circuit 2, outer 4 and inner 5 magnetic poles forming interpole gap in area of output edges of discharge chamber. Anode-gas distributor 7 is located in space of acceleration channel at some distance from its outlet section exceeding width of channel. Cathode-compensator 1 is installed behind outlet cut of discharge chamber 6. Outlet lengths of walls of discharge chamber facing acceleration channel are made from current conductive material. One dividing ring-shaped depression 12 as minimum is made in each wall of chamber between its current-conductive and main parts. Current-conductive lengths of walls of chamber are manufactured in the form of ring-shaped insert 8 and 9 from material resistant to ion sputtering. EFFECT: increased efficiency and reduced velocity of sputtering of elements of structure of plasma accelerator and diminished divergence of plasma jet. 9 cl, 9 dwg