ION THRUSTER HAVING GRID MADE OF ORIENTED PYROLYTIC GRAPHITE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend the service life of an ion optics grid of an ion thruster, and increase mechanical strength. SOLUTION: An ion thruster is provided with ionic and electron plasma sources and two or more non-plane dome type grids 50 positioned in sufficient proximity to the plasma sources for extracting ions and aligned opposite and spaced to each other. Each grid 50 has a local reference vector 58 perpendicular to a grid surface and a reference plane 60 perpendicular to the reference vector. The grid 50 is made of anisotropic pyrolytic graphite having 'ab' crystal plane 64 substantially positioned on the reference plane 60.