Abstract
In this paper we present an experiment which demonstrates the use of metals atoms (in particular, lead) with high atomic mass and relatively low ionization energy as solid propellants in the ionic propulsion. The metal used are directly vaporized and ionized in air, at standard atmospheric pressure using microwaves field..
Keywords
Cylindrical waveguide, Solid propellant, Microwave field, Lead threads, Ionic propulsion.
Citation
G. MOGILDEA, M. MOGILDEA, Experimental investigation of the metals vaporization and ionization with microwave used as propellant for ionic propulsion, Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials - Rapid Communications, 4, 3, March 2010, pp.352-356 (2010).
Submitted at: Feb. 8, 2010
Accepted at: March 12, 2010