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Non-invasive in situ measurement of the near-wall ion kinetic energy in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cusson, SE; Jorns, BA; Gallimore, AD
Published in: Plasma Sources Science and Technology
October 21, 2019

The ion velocity distribution functions in the near-wall region of a high-power, 9-kW class magnetically shielded Hall thruster are experimentally characterized to quantify the degree to which the discharge chamber walls are shielded from ion bombardment. Ion velocity measurements are performed at a discharge voltage of 300 V and a discharge current of 15 A using laser-induced fluorescence along the centerline and discharge chamber walls. The centerline results show that the location of the acceleration region exists downstream of the exit plane of the thruster, which is consistent with previous measurements on other magnetically shielded thrusters. Measurements performed in the near-wall region show that ions are moving approximately parallel to the walls up to the exit of the thruster; however, a small but finite maximum mean velocity of 0.2 km s-1 is directed toward the discharge chamber walls. A sheath analysis is performed to define a critical electron temperature below which shielding will be maintained given these near wall ion velocities. This value is found to be in excess of predicted temperatures in this region. Taken together, these results confirm that all criteria for magnetic shielding of Hall thrusters have been satisfied.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Plasma Sources Science and Technology

DOI

EISSN

1361-6595

ISSN

0963-0252

Publication Date

October 21, 2019

Volume

28

Issue

10

Related Subject Headings

  • Applied Physics
  • 5106 Nuclear and plasma physics
  • 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
 

Citation

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Cusson, S. E., Jorns, B. A., & Gallimore, A. D. (2019). Non-invasive in situ measurement of the near-wall ion kinetic energy in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 28(10). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/ab46d2
Cusson, S. E., B. A. Jorns, and A. D. Gallimore. “Non-invasive in situ measurement of the near-wall ion kinetic energy in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster.” Plasma Sources Science and Technology 28, no. 10 (October 21, 2019). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/ab46d2.
Cusson SE, Jorns BA, Gallimore AD. Non-invasive in situ measurement of the near-wall ion kinetic energy in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster. Plasma Sources Science and Technology. 2019 Oct 21;28(10).
Cusson, S. E., et al. “Non-invasive in situ measurement of the near-wall ion kinetic energy in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster.” Plasma Sources Science and Technology, vol. 28, no. 10, Oct. 2019. Scopus, doi:10.1088/1361-6595/ab46d2.
Cusson SE, Jorns BA, Gallimore AD. Non-invasive in situ measurement of the near-wall ion kinetic energy in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster. Plasma Sources Science and Technology. 2019 Oct 21;28(10).
Journal cover image

Published In

Plasma Sources Science and Technology

DOI

EISSN

1361-6595

ISSN

0963-0252

Publication Date

October 21, 2019

Volume

28

Issue

10

Related Subject Headings

  • Applied Physics
  • 5106 Nuclear and plasma physics
  • 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics