Abstract
Autonomous space robot will be widely used to complete various space missions in future. Unfortunately electrostatic surface discharge (ESD) induced by space plasma environment may produce one of the most common anomaly in space robots. Liquid Metal Ion Source (LMIS) is one of the effective mitigation methods for space robot charging effect. But as a devices for space-robots charging mitigation equipment, has strict requirements to its weight and volume. The present LMIS can only work at a very high voltage, so the weight and volume of LMIS isn’t suitable for space robot. Here we propose that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be used as capillary-type emitters in LMIS to meet the challenge. Well-aligned CNT arrays are synthesized on self-ordered hexagonal porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The CNTs obtained are monodispersed and have open tip, which indicates that they have the similar geometry to the present capillary-type emitters in LMIS. So the LMIS made of CNTs can emit ions at a very lower voltage. A new mitigation device for space robot charging effects with very small weight and volume can be developed. The key steps for fabricating CNT emitters are presented.
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