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<p>The lifetime of gridded ion engines is primarily limited by erosion of the ion optics system. Despite extensive research, the availability of quantitative, spatially resolved erosion data under long-duration operation remains limited, particularly for internal erosion features such as aperture barrel erosion. This work presents a quantitative characterisation of erosion in a three-grid ion optics system using a combination of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The micro-CT approach, previously explored in preparatory studies within the same programme frame, is here applied to enable non-destructive, volumetric assessment of eroded ion optics after long-duration operation. A dedicated experimental design incorporating three distinct aperture regions within a single ion optics system allows direct comparison of erosion behaviour under identical plasma and facility conditions during a 1000 h endurance test with xenon propellant. Erosion characterisation was performed at multiple time points (0, 100, 500, and 1000 h), combining surface and volumetric diagnostics to resolve both edge and barrel erosion processes. The results show consistent trends in erosion behaviour across different aperture regions, indicating a systematic dependence on local geometry. Quantitative analysis reveals distinct erosion modes, including significant barrel erosion and configuration-dependent edge evolution. SEM–EDX analysis confirms inter-grid material transfer, while no redeposition of facility materials was detected above the sensitivity limits of the method. The combined diagnostic approach is validated by the consistency between SEM and micro-CT observations, demonstrating its capability for non-destructive, quantitative assessment of ion-optics erosion. The presented results establish a high-fidelity baseline dataset and provide experimental insight into erosion mechanisms and material transport within the extraction region under realistic operating conditions.</p>

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Baseline investigation of grid erosion and internal material transport in ion optics using SEM–EDX and micro-CT diagnostics

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月26日

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  • Pavel Smirnov,
  • Maria Smirnova,
  • Aloha Mingo,
  • Ruslan Kozakov,
  • Cecilie Holmen,
  • Alejandro Madina Cerda,
  • Jochen Schein,
  • Neil Wallace,
  • Francesco Guarducci

摘要

The lifetime of gridded ion engines is primarily limited by erosion of the ion optics system. Despite extensive research, the availability of quantitative, spatially resolved erosion data under long-duration operation remains limited, particularly for internal erosion features such as aperture barrel erosion. This work presents a quantitative characterisation of erosion in a three-grid ion optics system using a combination of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The micro-CT approach, previously explored in preparatory studies within the same programme frame, is here applied to enable non-destructive, volumetric assessment of eroded ion optics after long-duration operation. A dedicated experimental design incorporating three distinct aperture regions within a single ion optics system allows direct comparison of erosion behaviour under identical plasma and facility conditions during a 1000 h endurance test with xenon propellant. Erosion characterisation was performed at multiple time points (0, 100, 500, and 1000 h), combining surface and volumetric diagnostics to resolve both edge and barrel erosion processes. The results show consistent trends in erosion behaviour across different aperture regions, indicating a systematic dependence on local geometry. Quantitative analysis reveals distinct erosion modes, including significant barrel erosion and configuration-dependent edge evolution. SEM–EDX analysis confirms inter-grid material transfer, while no redeposition of facility materials was detected above the sensitivity limits of the method. The combined diagnostic approach is validated by the consistency between SEM and micro-CT observations, demonstrating its capability for non-destructive, quantitative assessment of ion-optics erosion. The presented results establish a high-fidelity baseline dataset and provide experimental insight into erosion mechanisms and material transport within the extraction region under realistic operating conditions.