Current collection from the space plasma through defects in solar array insulation

The physics of a positively biased conductor surrounded by dielectrics in contact with plasma is investigated. It is shown that because of the presence of secondary emission from the surrounding dielectrics the voltage of the surfaces near the conductor has three solutions. Of the three possible solutions, the high- and low-voltage solutions are stable while the intermediate voltage solution is unstable. For the stable solutions, the low-voltage solution always has very low secondary emission while the high-voltage solution has high secondary emission. The secondary current emitted from the neighboring dielectrics is collected by the conductor. When the voltage on the dielectric undergoes a transition from one bistable solution to another this will be seen as a concomitant increase in the current collected to the conductor. This theory is applied to explain the ‘‘snapover’’ effect. The snapover effect is observed on high-voltage solar arrays that involve the use of highly biased surfaces in contact with the space environment. It has been observed that when such surfaces are postively biased the current undergoes an anomalous increase at a critical voltage.

show abstract

The physics of positively biased conductors surrounded by dielectrics in contact with a plasma

Hastings

Chang

1989

Physics of Fluids B: Plasma Physics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

AC system-plasma interactions

Stillwell

Stevens

Crawford

et al. 1988

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plasma electron collection through biased slits in a dielectric

Carruth

1987

Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A large number of experimental and analytical efforts have been directed toward understanding the plasma sheath growth and discharge phenomena which lead to high-voltage solar array/space plasma interactions. An important question which has not been addressed is how the voltage gradient in the plasma sheath near the surface of such an array may affect these interactions. The purpose of the experimental study described in this paper is to examine the merging of the sheaths around biased slits in a dielectric and how this affects the collection of electrons through these slits. The data, which are obtained by emissive probes and direct measurement of the current collected through the slits, indicate that when the sheaths merge the current collection by the slits is significantly altered with the most positive slit collecting more electrons than it otherwise would. Therefore, the effect of a voltage gradient in the sheath around a solar array should be considered when evaluating solar array performance.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Current collection from the space plasma through defects in solar array insulation

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

The physics of positively biased conductors surrounded by dielectrics in contact with a plasma

The physics of positively biased conductors surrounded by dielectrics in contact with a plasma

AC system-plasma interactions

Plasma electron collection through biased slits in a dielectric

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About