Structural changes of surfaces of spacecraft solar array protective glasses being irradiated by 20-keV electrons. Issue 10 (15th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khasanshin, R.H.; Novikov, L.S.
• Is Part Of: Advances in space research. Volume 57:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 2187
• Page End: 2195
• Publication Date: 2016-05-15
• Subjects: Protective coatings of spacecraft solar arrays -- K-208 and CMG glasses -- Electron radiation -- Electrostatic discharges; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 500.505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2016.02.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0273-1177

Abstract

Abstract: When irradiating K-208 and CMG glasses by 20-keV electrons with flux densities of 10 10 < φe < 2 × 10 11 cm −2 s −1 in vacuum 10 −4 Pa, electrostatic discharges accompanied by plasma emission and destruction of glass surfaces were observed. Examination of glasses by atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed significant difference in structural changes of surfaces of K-208 and CMG samples irradiated by equal flux densities within the range from 2.0 × 10 10 to 9.0 × 10 10 cm −2 s −1 that can be explained by different mechanisms of removal of charge accumulated in glasses. Surface discharges generating channels on surfaces of K-208 and CMG glasses appear when φ ⩾ 7.4 × 10 10 cm −2 s −1 and φ ⩾ 8.7 × 10 10 cm −2 s −1 respectively. In average, if radiation conditions are the same and φ ⩾ 1.4 × 10 11 cm −2 s −1, the channels are 1.5 times deeper in K-208 than in CMG.