Electrostatic Acceleration of Microprojectiles to Ultrahypervelocities

A broad survey of potential techniques has led to a consistent system design for electrostatic acceleration of microprojectiles to ultrahypervelocity 100 kms . The microprojectile itself is a microndiameter carbon fiber, a few hundred microns long, charged to levels of several coulombskg by application of fields at the fiber surface of 10expn 9 Vm. Dielectric encapsulation of electrodes in a multiplate accelerator structure allows the use of accelerating fields in excess of 10expn 8 Vm, with comparable fields for focusing and guiding the projectile. A reflex transmission line arrangement has been devised that permits the longitudinal accelerating field to follow the projectile motion with minimal switch action and a non-reversing electric field vector. Neutralization of the projectile charge is accomplished by thermionically-emitted electrons without disturbing the integrity of the projectile or its motion. Results of the design study, scaling of design constraints and prospects for practical accomplishment will be discussed.