Spatially resolved study of primary electron transport in magnetic cusps

Journal Article · Sun Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, International Journal Devoted to Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.3656742· OSTI ID:22051363

Hubble, Aimee A; Foster, John E ^[1]

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1. Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (United States)

Spatially resolved primary electron current density profiles were measured using a planar Langmuir probe in the region above a magnetic cusp in a small ion thruster discharge chamber. The probe current maps obtained were used to study the electron collection mechanics in the cusp region in the limit of zero gas flow and no plasma production, and they allowed for the visualization of primary electron transport through the cusp. Attenuation coefficients and loss widths were calculated as a function of probe distance above the anode at various operating conditions. Finally, the collection mechanics between two magnetic cusps were studied and compared. It was found that primary electron collection was dominated by the upstream magnet ring.

• OSTI ID: 22051363
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, International Journal Devoted to Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, International Journal Devoted to Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 30; ISSN 1553-1813
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANODES
ATTENUATION
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
CURRENT DENSITY
CUSPED GEOMETRIES
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRONS
GAS FLOW
ION THRUSTERS
LANGMUIR PROBE
MAGNETS
PLASMA PRODUCTION
SPATIAL RESOLUTION