DocumentCode :
227881
Title :
Plasma measurements of the plume of a new miniature helicon thruster
Author :
Reese, Ingrid M. ; Sheehan, J.P. ; Longmier, Benjamin W.
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
fYear :
2014
fDate :
25-29 May 2014
Firstpage :
1
Lastpage :
1
Abstract :
Summary form only given. We present preliminary results of a campaign to characterize the ion acceleration mechanism of a new miniature permanent magnet helicon thruster. The magnetic field of the thruster´s neodymium magnets was measured to verify that the extent of the magnetic field and exhaust plume is small relative to our vacuum chamber (1 cubic meter). The magnetic field becomes comparable to the earth´s magnetic field (.5 G) about 50 cm from the thruster. Argon and xenon gas were used as propellants. Plasma properties of the exhaust plume were measured at various power levels (1-100 W) and propellant flow rates. Electron temperature and plasma density were measured with a double probe and a single Langmuir probe. The plasma potential was measured with an emissive probe using two methods: the floating potential in the limit of large emission and the inflection point in the limit of zero emission.
Keywords :
ion engines; permanent magnets; plasma diagnostics; temperature measurement; thermal pollution; argon gas; double probe; electron temperature measurement; exhaust plume; ion acceleration mechanism; magnetic field; miniature helicon thruster; miniature permanent magnet helicon thruster; neodymium magnets; plasma density measurement; plume plasma measurements; propellants; single Langmuir probe; xenon gas; Electric potential; Magnetic field measurement; Magnetic fields; Plasma measurements; Probes; Propellants; Temperature measurement;
fLanguage :
English
Publisher :
ieee
Conference_Titel :
Plasma Sciences (ICOPS) held with 2014 IEEE International Conference on High-Power Particle Beams (BEAMS), 2014 IEEE 41st International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4799-2711-1
Type :
conf
DOI :
10.1109/PLASMA.2014.7012585
Filename :
7012585
Link To Document :
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