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Mass spectral measurements in the plume of an SPT-100 Hall thruster

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

Knowledge of the ion species emitted by the SPT-100 Hall thruster provides considerable insight to basic thruster performance. To gain detailed information concerning the composition of the plume plasma, a unique molecular beam mass spectrometer was constructed to interrogate the exhaust plume. An investigation using this technique yielded both the ionization fraction of the xenon propellant and a qualitative analysis of the minority plasma species attributed to ground-test facility interactions. The plasma was found to consist of 89% Xe+, 11% Xe2+, and 0.2% Xe3+. The existence of parasitic facility games including nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor was documented, as well as trace carbon ions caused by sputtering of graphite surfaces in proximity of the thruster.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Propulsion and Power

DOI

ISSN

0748-4658

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

16

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1086 / 1092

Related Subject Headings

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

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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King, L. B., & Gallimore, A. D. (2000). Mass spectral measurements in the plume of an SPT-100 Hall thruster. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 16(6), 1086–1092. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5681
King, L. B., and A. D. Gallimore. “Mass spectral measurements in the plume of an SPT-100 Hall thruster.” Journal of Propulsion and Power 16, no. 6 (January 1, 2000): 1086–92. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5681.
King LB, Gallimore AD. Mass spectral measurements in the plume of an SPT-100 Hall thruster. Journal of Propulsion and Power. 2000 Jan 1;16(6):1086–92.
King, L. B., and A. D. Gallimore. “Mass spectral measurements in the plume of an SPT-100 Hall thruster.” Journal of Propulsion and Power, vol. 16, no. 6, Jan. 2000, pp. 1086–92. Scopus, doi:10.2514/2.5681.
King LB, Gallimore AD. Mass spectral measurements in the plume of an SPT-100 Hall thruster. Journal of Propulsion and Power. 2000 Jan 1;16(6):1086–1092.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Propulsion and Power

DOI

ISSN

0748-4658

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

16

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1086 / 1092

Related Subject Headings

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