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Title: Low-frequency electron dynamics in the near field of a Hall effect thruster

Abstract

Time-resolved electrostatic probe measurements were performed in the near field of a SPT100-ML Hall effect thruster in order to investigate electron properties changes on a microsecond time scale. Such measurements allow one to monitor the electron temperature T{sub e}, the electron density n{sub e}, as well as the plasma potential V{sub p} during a time period that corresponds to one cycle of a breathing-type plasma oscillation with f{approx_equal}15-30 kHz. Although T{sub e}(t) stays constant in time, n{sub e}(t) and V{sub p}(t) oscillate with the discharge current waveform frequency. The observed time delay between n{sub e} and anode discharge current (Id{sub a}) waveforms, which is of approximately 7 {mu}s, is linked to the ion transit time from the ionization layer to the probed near-field region. The same time gap is measured between V{sub p}(t) and Id{sub a}(t), however V{sub p}(t) and n{sub e}(t) are in phase opposition. The electron density reaches its highest value at the very moment ions are ejected out of the thruster discharge chamber, which also corresponds to the instant the cathode potential is the most negative. Such a behavior images the need for ion beam neutralization. Further, it is shown that there is a strong correlation betweenmore » the electron dynamics and the presence of high frequency (HF) plasma oscillations in the megahertz range: HF fluctuations are the strongest when n{sub e} is the highest.« less

Authors:
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Laboratoire d'Aerothermique, 1C avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, 45071 Orleans (France)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
20787399
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physics of Plasmas
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 13; Journal Issue: 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2209628; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; CORRELATIONS; ELECTRIC CURRENTS; ELECTRON DENSITY; ELECTRON TEMPERATURE; ELECTRONS; ELECTROSTATIC PROBES; FLUCTUATIONS; HALL EFFECT; ION BEAMS; ION TEMPERATURE; IONS; KHZ RANGE; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS; PLASMA; PLASMA DENSITY; PLASMA GUNS; PLASMA POTENTIAL; PLASMA WAVES; RADIATION TRANSPORT; THRUSTERS; TIME DELAY; TIME RESOLUTION; WAVE FORMS

Citation Formats

Albarede, L, Mazouffre, S, Bouchoule, A, Dudeck, M, GREMI, University of Orleans, 14 rue d'Issoudun B.P. 6744, 45067 Orleans, and Laboratoire d'Aerothermique, 1C avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, 45071 Orleans. Low-frequency electron dynamics in the near field of a Hall effect thruster. United States: N. p., 2006. Web. doi:10.1063/1.2209628.
Albarede, L, Mazouffre, S, Bouchoule, A, Dudeck, M, GREMI, University of Orleans, 14 rue d'Issoudun B.P. 6744, 45067 Orleans, & Laboratoire d'Aerothermique, 1C avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, 45071 Orleans. Low-frequency electron dynamics in the near field of a Hall effect thruster. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2209628
Albarede, L, Mazouffre, S, Bouchoule, A, Dudeck, M, GREMI, University of Orleans, 14 rue d'Issoudun B.P. 6744, 45067 Orleans, and Laboratoire d'Aerothermique, 1C avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, 45071 Orleans. 2006. "Low-frequency electron dynamics in the near field of a Hall effect thruster". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2209628.
@article{osti_20787399,
title = {Low-frequency electron dynamics in the near field of a Hall effect thruster},
author = {Albarede, L and Mazouffre, S and Bouchoule, A and Dudeck, M and GREMI, University of Orleans, 14 rue d'Issoudun B.P. 6744, 45067 Orleans and Laboratoire d'Aerothermique, 1C avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, 45071 Orleans},
abstractNote = {Time-resolved electrostatic probe measurements were performed in the near field of a SPT100-ML Hall effect thruster in order to investigate electron properties changes on a microsecond time scale. Such measurements allow one to monitor the electron temperature T{sub e}, the electron density n{sub e}, as well as the plasma potential V{sub p} during a time period that corresponds to one cycle of a breathing-type plasma oscillation with f{approx_equal}15-30 kHz. Although T{sub e}(t) stays constant in time, n{sub e}(t) and V{sub p}(t) oscillate with the discharge current waveform frequency. The observed time delay between n{sub e} and anode discharge current (Id{sub a}) waveforms, which is of approximately 7 {mu}s, is linked to the ion transit time from the ionization layer to the probed near-field region. The same time gap is measured between V{sub p}(t) and Id{sub a}(t), however V{sub p}(t) and n{sub e}(t) are in phase opposition. The electron density reaches its highest value at the very moment ions are ejected out of the thruster discharge chamber, which also corresponds to the instant the cathode potential is the most negative. Such a behavior images the need for ion beam neutralization. Further, it is shown that there is a strong correlation between the electron dynamics and the presence of high frequency (HF) plasma oscillations in the megahertz range: HF fluctuations are the strongest when n{sub e} is the highest.},
doi = {10.1063/1.2209628},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20787399}, journal = {Physics of Plasmas},
issn = {1070-664X},
number = 6,
volume = 13,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006},
month = {Thu Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006}
}