Experimental Characterization of a Lanthanum Hexaboride Hollow Cathode for Five-Kilowatt-Class Hall Thrusters

摘要

A heaterless LaB_6 hollow cathode was developed and tested at anode currents from 2 to 18 A with xenon and krypton. A 300 h endurance test was performed at 16 A and 1 mg/s Xe, after which a characterization with xenon and krypton allowed for a direct comparison of the cathode performance. During the coupling test with the Sitael HT5k Hall thruster, the cathode design proved to be reliable and flexible in terms of operating envelope and cold ignitions. Improvements in the thermal and mechanical design of the cathode are in progress, with the aim of reducing the power consumption and extending the spot-mode operation of the cathode.