Ion Engines - Propellant
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:36 am
What xenon compounds are used in ion engine prototypes?
joe_dunca26,
Thank you for your question.
Ion thrusters work by ionizing propellant by adding or removing electrons from that propellant to produce ions (atoms with a net positive or negative charge). Most ion thrusters bombard propellant with high energy electrons. The collisions release electrons from the propellant atoms, resulting in a positively charged ion. This is called a plasma, and consists of both positive ions and negative electrons. Plasma is similar to a gas, but can be affected by electric and magnetic fields. Xenon is a very common propellant used in ion propulsion because it is easily ionized and has a high atomic mass, thus generating a desirable level of thrust when ions are accelerated. For added benefit, Xenon is inert and has a high storage density, making it is well suited for spacecraft. That being said, Xenon compounds are formed when mixed with other elements potentially creating a material that isn't as easily ionized. So rather than a Xenon compound, an ultra-pure Xenon gas is more desirable in ion thrusters.
I hope this helps.
~ The Borg