ePubs

The open archive for STFC research publications

Full Record Details

Persistent URL http://purl.org/net/epubs/work/33950
Record Status Checked
Record Id 33950
Title A field effect spacecraft neutraliser for the LISA Pathfinder mission
Contributors
Abstract We outline the design, construction and testing of a field effect neutraliser, which provides a source of up to 6mA of electron emission to maintain charge neutrality for the LISA Pathfinder mission spacecraft. The low mass, low power neutraliser uses silicon field emitter arrays and has been engineered for integration into the LISA Pathfinder micro-propulsion system. The silicon emitters are constructed using micro-fabrication techniques and electron beam lithography to ensure uniformity and precise control of emitter location. Control of the manufacture processes; plasma enhanced vapour deposition, wet and dry plasma etch, and various coatings, has been optimised to achieve robust reproducible devices suitable for space use.
Organisation CCLRC , SSTD , EID
Keywords Physics , 07.87.+v , 04.80.Nn , 79.70.+q , 95.55.Ym
Funding Information
Related Research Object(s):
Licence Information:
Language English (EN)
Type Details URI(s) Local file(s) Year
Journal Article Class Quant Grav 22 (2005): S483-S486. doi:10.1088/0264-9381/22/10/047 2005