A high-current plasma generator based on a hollow cathode for high-power electric propulsions

A construction diagram and procedure for independent tests of the new hollow cathode, created at the Keldysh Research Center, being capable of ensuring an emission current of about 100 A, and meeting the main requirements, imposed on thermoemission cathodes of high-power ion thrusters, are considered. Results of the independent tests are given and dependences of the discharge voltage on the discharge current in a discharge-current range of 20–120 A are obtained. The temperatures of the cathode construction elements in stationary operation modes are measured.