Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Ion-energy diagnostics in the plasma exhaust plume of a Hall thruster

Publication ,  Journal Article
King, LB; Gallimore, AD
Published in: Journal of Propulsion and Power
January 1, 2000

Of primary concern with the integration of Hall thrusters on conventional satellite designs is the possible damaging effect of high-energy exhaust ions impinging upon spacecraft surfaces. This paper reports on measurements of plasma ion-energy distributions within the plume of an SPT-100 Hall thruster using a custom-designed molecular-beam mass spectrometer. With this instrument ion energy was measured over a complete 360-deg circumference about the thruster at a radius of 0.5 m from the exit plane and over a total inclusive arc of 260 deg at 1.0-m radius. These data uncovered the existence of high-energy ions departing the thruster at angles exceeding 90 deg from the thrust vector and continuing well into the backflow region of the plume. Through an analysis of the energy structure, the evidence of charge-exchange collisions occurring between plume ions and background neutrals was documented; such collisions produced anomalous distributions of ions having voltages greater than that applied to the thruster discharge.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Propulsion and Power

DOI

ISSN

0748-4658

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

16

Issue

5

Start / End Page

916 / 922

Related Subject Headings

  • Aerospace & Aeronautics
  • 4001 Aerospace engineering
  • 0913 Mechanical Engineering
  • 0901 Aerospace Engineering
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
King, L. B., & Gallimore, A. D. (2000). Ion-energy diagnostics in the plasma exhaust plume of a Hall thruster. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 16(5), 916–922. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5660
King, L. B., and A. D. Gallimore. “Ion-energy diagnostics in the plasma exhaust plume of a Hall thruster.” Journal of Propulsion and Power 16, no. 5 (January 1, 2000): 916–22. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5660.
King LB, Gallimore AD. Ion-energy diagnostics in the plasma exhaust plume of a Hall thruster. Journal of Propulsion and Power. 2000 Jan 1;16(5):916–22.
King, L. B., and A. D. Gallimore. “Ion-energy diagnostics in the plasma exhaust plume of a Hall thruster.” Journal of Propulsion and Power, vol. 16, no. 5, Jan. 2000, pp. 916–22. Scopus, doi:10.2514/2.5660.
King LB, Gallimore AD. Ion-energy diagnostics in the plasma exhaust plume of a Hall thruster. Journal of Propulsion and Power. 2000 Jan 1;16(5):916–922.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Propulsion and Power

DOI

ISSN

0748-4658

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

16

Issue

5

Start / End Page

916 / 922

Related Subject Headings

  • Aerospace & Aeronautics
  • 4001 Aerospace engineering
  • 0913 Mechanical Engineering
  • 0901 Aerospace Engineering
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics