AFRL Round-Robin Test Results on Plasma Propagation Velocity

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 43; no. 9; pp. 3006 - 3013
• Main Authors: Hoffmann, Ryan, Ferguson, Dale, Patton, James, Wheelock, Adrian T., Young, Jason A., Crofton, Mark W., Prebola, John L., Crider, Dustin H., Likar, Justin J., Schneider, Todd A., Vaughn, Jason A., Bodeau, J. Michale, Noushkam, Nikki, Vayner, Boris V., Bao Hoang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01-09-2015; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Arrays; Current measurement; Dielectric; Dielectrics; discharge; Electric potential; Electrostatic discharges; flashover; Photovoltaic cells; Plasma measurements; Plasma physics; Plasmas; Propagation; Space vehicles; Spacecraft; spacecraft charging; Testing laboratories; Velocity; United States > US; discharge; spacecraft charging; Dielectric; flashover
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2015.2465865

The speed plasma propagates across a charged solar panel after a primary arc is one of the most important, yet poorly known, quantities in determining Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) currents for spacecraft arcing events. A review of the literature over the last two decades reveals that measured propagation velocity varies by as much as an order of magnitude. To overcome this deficiency, a round-robin set of tests was initiated with partners from industry, academia, NASA and the U.S. Air Force. This paper will provide the most recent results from the Air Force Research Laboratory testing conducted at the Spacecraft Charging and Instrument Calibration Laboratory.