Integral electrical characteristics and local plasma parameters of a RF ion thruster

Journal Article · Mon Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4935003· OSTI ID:22483033

Masherov, P. E.; Godyak, V. A. ^[1]

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1. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA and RF Plasma Consulting, Brookline, Massachusetts 02446 (United States)

Comprehensive diagnostics has been carried out for a RF ion thruster based on inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source with an external flat antenna coil enhanced by ferrite core. The ICP was confined within a cylindrical chamber with low aspect ratio to minimize plasma loss to the chamber wall. Integral diagnostics of the ICP electrical parameters (RF power balance and coil current) allowed for evaluation of the antenna coils, matching networks, and eddy current loss and the true RF power deposited to plasma. Spatially resolved electron energy distribution functions, plasma density, electron temperatures, and plasma potentials were measured with movable Langmuir probes.

• OSTI ID: 22483033
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 87, Issue 2; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ANTENNAS
EDDY CURRENTS
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ENERGY SPECTRA
EVALUATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FERRITES
LANGMUIR PROBE
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA POTENTIAL
THRUSTERS