Ion collection in Hall thruster plumes

The two nude Farade probes of differing design that are used simultaneously to measure the ion current density of a 5 kW Hall thruster are discussed. The ion current density distribution of the 173 Mv1 Hallthruster is measured with two probes over a wide range of backpressure and operating conditions. An estimation of the measured total ion beam current Ii can be used to evaluate a Farade probe's ability to measure the ion current density. The magnitude of the ion current density at the central core of the plume increases with increasing facility background pressure. The analysis of the ion current density traces showed that Ii / ID might be the best way to evaluate the performance of a Farade probe.

Duke Scholars

Author Alec Gallimore Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...