Research Catalog

Mass analysis of neutral particles and ions released during electrical breakdowns on spacecraft surfaces : final report

Title
Mass analysis of neutral particles and ions released during electrical breakdowns on spacecraft surfaces : final report / submitted by: B.R.F. Kendall ; NASA technical officer: John V. Staskus.
Author
Kendall, B. R. F.
Publication
University Park, PA ; Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University, March 16, 1985.

Details

Additional Authors
  • Pennsylvania State University. Department of Physics, issuing body.
  • United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
  • Lewis Research Center.
Description
18 pages, 12 unnumbered pages : illustrations.
Summary
"Charged-particle fluxes from breakdown events were studied. Methods to measure mass spectra and total emitted flux of neutral particles were developed. The design and construction of the specialized mass spectrometer was completed. Electrical breakdowns were initiated by a movable blunt contact touching the insulating surface. The contact discharge apparatus was used for final development of two different high-speed recording systems and for measurements of the composition of the materials given off by the discharge. It was shown that intense instantaneous fluxes of neutral particles were released from the sites of electrical breakdown events. A laser micropulse mass analyzer showed that visible discoloration at breakdown sites were correllated with the presence of iron on the polymer side of the film, presumably caused by punch-through to the Inconel backing. Kapton samples irradiated by an oxygen ion beam were tested. The irradiated samples were free of surface hydrocarbon contamination but otherwise behaved in the same way as the Kapton samples tested earlier. Only the two samples exposed to oxygen ion bombardment were relatively clean. This indicates an additional variable that should be considered when testing spacecraft materials in the laboratory."--NTIS abstract.
Series Statement
NASA-CR ; 175585
Uniform Title
NASA contractor report ; NASA CR-175585.
Subject
  • Space vehicles > Materials > Testing
  • Breakdown (Electricity) > Spectra
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Flux density
  • Mass spectra
  • Molecular spectra
  • Electron recombination
  • Mass spectrometers
  • Electrical faults; Flux density; Mass spectra; Metal surfaces; Molecular spectra; Neutral particles; Polymeric films; Spacecraft modules; Electron recombination; Kapton (Trademark); Mass spectrometers; Molecules; System failures; Teflon (Trademark)
Note
  • "March 16, 1985."
  • Submitted to: Spacecraft Environment Section, NASA Lewis Research Center.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (pages 16-18).
Type of Report (note)
  • Final report;
Reproduction (note)
  • Microfiche.
Call Number
GPO Microfiche NAS 1.26:175585
OCLC
marcive191982037
Author
Kendall, B. R. F., author.
Title
Mass analysis of neutral particles and ions released during electrical breakdowns on spacecraft surfaces : final report / submitted by: B.R.F. Kendall ; NASA technical officer: John V. Staskus.
Publisher
University Park, PA ; Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University, March 16, 1985.
Type of Content
text
Type of Medium
microform
Type of Carrier
microfiche
Series
NASA-CR ; 175585
NASA contractor report ; NASA CR-175585.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 16-18).
Type Of Report
Final report; 1 September 1979 to 31 December 1984.
Reproduction
Microfiche. [Washington, D.C.] : National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1985. 1 microfiche + negative.
Funding
NSG-3301
Indexed Term
Electrical faults; Flux density; Mass spectra; Metal surfaces; Molecular spectra; Neutral particles; Polymeric films; Spacecraft modules; Electron recombination; Kapton (Trademark); Mass spectrometers; Molecules; System failures; Teflon (Trademark)
Added Author
Pennsylvania State University. Department of Physics, issuing body.
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Lewis Research Center.
Other Form:
Online version: Kendall, B. R. F. Mass analysis of neutral particles and ions released during electrical breakdowns on spacecraft surfaces (OCoLC)927176779
Gpo Item No.
0830-H-14 (MF)
Sudoc No.
NAS 1.26:175585
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