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Utah State University

All Physics Faculty Publications

Electron emission

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Full-Text Articles in Physics

Low-Fluence Electron Yields Of Highly Insulating Materials, Ryan Hoffman, John R. Dennison, Clint D. Thomson, Jennifer Albresten Oct 2008

Low-Fluence Electron Yields Of Highly Insulating Materials, Ryan Hoffman, John R. Dennison, Clint D. Thomson, Jennifer Albresten

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Electron-induced electron yields of high-resistivity high-yield materials - ceramic polycrystalline aluminum oxide and polymer polyimide (Kapton HN) - were made by using a low-fluence pulsed incident electron beam and charge neutralization electron source to minimize charge accumulation. Large changes in the energy-dependent total yield curves and yield decay curves were observed, even for incident electron fluences of < 3 fC/mm2. The evolution of the electron yield as charge accumulates in the material is modeled in terms of electron recapture based on an extended Chung-Everhart model of the electron emission spectrum. This model is used to explain the anomalies measured in highly …


Evolution Of The Electron Yield Curves Of Insulators As A Function Of Impinging Electron Fluence And Energy, John R. Dennison, Alec Sim, Clint Thomson Oct 2006

Evolution Of The Electron Yield Curves Of Insulators As A Function Of Impinging Electron Fluence And Energy, John R. Dennison, Alec Sim, Clint Thomson

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Electron emission and concomitant charge accumulation near the surface of insulators is central to understanding spacecraft charging. A study of changes in electron emission yields as a result of internal charge buildup due to electron dose is presented. Evolution of total, backscattered, and secondary yield results over a broad range of incident energies are presented for two representative insulators, Kapton and Al2O3. Reliable yield curves for uncharged insulators are measured, and quantifiable changes in yields are observed due to <100-fC/mm2 fluences. Excellent agreement with a phenomenological argument based on insulator charging predicted by the yield curve …


The Effect Of Low Energy Electron And Uv/Vis Radiation Aging On The Electron Emission Properties And Breakdown Of Thin-Film Dielectrics, John R. Dennison, C. D. Thomson, Alec Sim Nov 2004

The Effect Of Low Energy Electron And Uv/Vis Radiation Aging On The Electron Emission Properties And Breakdown Of Thin-Film Dielectrics, John R. Dennison, C. D. Thomson, Alec Sim

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Studies of secondary and backscattered electron yield curves of thin-film dielectrics have recently been made using pulsed, low current electron beam methods to minimize insulator charging. These capabilities have allowed us to investigate the evolution of surface and internal charge profiles as a function of low energy electron (keV) pulsed-electron fluence to determine how quickly insulators charge, and how this can affect subsequent electron emission properties. We have also studied critical incident electron energies that result in electrical breakdown of insulator materials and the effect of breakdown on subsequent emission, charging and conduction. The qualitative physics of such processes in …


Measurement Of Conductivity And Charge Storage In Insulators Related To Spacecraft Charging, A. R. Frederickson, John R. Dennison Dec 2003

Measurement Of Conductivity And Charge Storage In Insulators Related To Spacecraft Charging, A. R. Frederickson, John R. Dennison

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Improved experimental methods are discussed for laboratory measurement of conductivity and electric field in insulating spacecraft material intended for space radiation and plasma environments. These measurement techniques investigate the following features: 1) measurements of conductivity are up to four orders of magnitude smaller than those determined by existing standard methods. 2) Conductivity is altered as radiation accumulates and trapping states fill with electrons. 3) With intense kiloelectronvolt electron irradiation, electrons are continually emitted for hours from the irradiated surface after the irradiation ceases. 4) Charging induced by electron irradiation is strongly modified by the electron-hole pairs that the irradiation generates …


Effects Of The Evolution Of Spacecraft Surfaces On Secondary Electron Emission Andspacecraft Charging, R. E. Davies, John R. Dennison Jan 1998

Effects Of The Evolution Of Spacecraft Surfaces On Secondary Electron Emission Andspacecraft Charging, R. E. Davies, John R. Dennison

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Spacecraft charging due to the natural plasma environment found in all orbits is known to produce many of the observed spacecraft anomalies and failures. A primary factor in adverse spacecraft charging is the secondary electron emission of differing materials on the spacecraft. Precipitating electrons and ions from the plasma to spacecraft surfaces can result in varying amounts of charge being released, depending on the secondary electron yield of the materials; this can lead to arcing between surfaces. NASA's Space and Environments Effects (SEE) program has recognized the need to improve their current materials database for modeling spacecraft charging and have …