Abstract: For an ion accelerator system having a special magnetic field structure with an alternating predominantly longitudinal and crosswise progression of the magnetic field, a geometry of the ionization chamber having a non-cylindrical shape of the chamber wall that is adapted to the progression of the magnetic field is proposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion accelerator arrangement which uses a combination of a magnetic field having a cusp structure and a cross-section of an ionisation chamber that is extended in one direction transversally in relation to the longitudinal axis. This enables the ionic current to be advantageously scaled.

Abstract: The invention relates to various advantageous embodiments of a plasma-accelerator configuration, especially for the configuration and design of electron sources used for ionizing the working gas and/or neutralizing the discharged plasma jet.

Abstract: A multistage plasma accelerator system includes at least one intermediate electrode between the plasma chamber between electrodes that include each other. An especially good efficiency can be achieved by way of an uneven distribution of potential to the potential stages formed by the plurality of electrodes having a high potential gradient of the last stage, when the plasma beam emerges, and by a special shape of the magnetic field prevailing in the plasma chamber of the last stage.

Abstract: For a plasma accelerator arrangement having a toroidal plasma chamber, a novel structure of the magnetic and/or electric fields is proposed which, in particular, permits multi-stage embodiments with substantially improved efficiency.

Abstract: For a plasma accelerator arrangement having a focused electron beam introduced into a plasma chamber, an annular structure of the chamber and a hollow cylindrical form of the electron beam are presented. A beam-guiding magnet system and, if appropriate, an electrode system is preferably formed in a plurality of stages in an adapted toroidal form.

Abstract: For a plasma accelerator arrangement in particular for use as an ion thruster in a spacecraft, a structure is proposed in connection with which an accelerated electron beam is admitted into an ionization chamber with fuel gas, and is guided through the ionization chamber in the form of a focused beam against an electric deceleration field, said electric deceleration field acting at the same time as an acceleration field for the fuel ions produced by ionization. The arrangement generates a focused beam of a largely neutral plasma with a high degree of efficiency. Configurations for electric and magnetic fields for guiding and focusing the beams are given by way of example.

Abstract: For a traveling-wave valve arrangement with a traveling-wave valve and a linearizing circuit arrangement, it is proposed to design the linearizing circuit arrangement and the traveling-wave valve as one constructional unit and, for the thermal protection of the linearizing circuit arrangement in the simultaneous presence of a high permissible temperature of the valve housing, to maintain the circuit arrangement by means of an active cooling element at a nondamaging temperature lower than the one of the wall of the valve or of a common wall. The cooling element is preferably a Peltier element.