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In this paper, the relationship between the morphology of the cathode crater and plasma ionization between thrusters is studied by adjusting the input energy of the micro-cathode arc thruster (μ CAT). We monitor the morphology of the cathode crater of the μ CAT using scanning electron microscopy and explore the relationship between the crater morphology and the internal energy loss of the cathode crater. This relationship, combined with the numerical simulation results, is used to monitor the ionization between the electrodes of the μ CAT using an enhanced intensified charge coupled device spectrum detector. The effect of cathode crater morphology on the ionization of the propellant during the operation of the μ CAT is determined. The results show that with a change in the input power processing unit voltage, the external profile and depth-to-diameter ratio of the cathode crater change, resulting in a change in the internal energy loss of the thruster cathode crater and then affecting the ionization efficiency of the cathode working fluid in the μ CAT. Under the condition of basically unchanged cathode feed energy flow density, reasonable adjustment of the depth-to-diameter ratio of the cathode crater can effectively improve the ionization efficiency of the cathode working fluid in the μ CAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the material loss relationship between the electrodes of a micro-cathodic arc thruster was investigated by adjusting the input voltage. The crater morphology of the micro-cathodic arc thruster was observed with a scanning electron microscope. The internal crater material was analyzed with an energy spectrum analyzer. On this basis, the arc path is obtained and the material loss of the structure between the electrodes of the micro-cathodic arc thruster was studied through further numerical simulation. The experimental and simulation results show that with a change in the Power processing unit (PPU) input voltage of the micro-cathodic arc thruster, the material distribution in the cathode crater and the discharge channel between the electrodes changed, affecting the bombardment of ions between the electrodes of the thruster on the insulating structure and conductive coating. In engineering applications, regulation of the arc breakdown path can effectively reduce the total energy of ion bombardment on the wall. • Study on micro-morphology and composition distribution characteristics of arc crater of micro-cathode arc thruster. • Study on the distribution characteristics of PPU input voltage and discharge channel between thrusters. • The ion bombardment on the wall under different discharge channels is simulated. • With the increase of PPU input voltage, the dominant factor of inter-electrode structure loss changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]