Ion velocities in a micro-cathode arc thruster

Journal Article · Fri Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4725500· OSTI ID:22072499

Taisen, Zhuang; Shashurin, Alexey; Keidar, Michael ^[1]; Beilis, Isak ^[2]

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1. The George Washington University, Washington, DC 22202 (United States)
2. Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (Israel)

Ion velocities in the plasma jet generated by the micro-cathode arc thruster are studied by means of time-of-flight method using enhanced ion detection system (EIDS). The EIDS triggers perturbations (spikes) on arc current waveform, and the larger current in the spike generates denser plasma bunches propagating along with the mainstream plasma. The EIDS utilizes double electrostatic probes rather than single probes. The average Ti ion velocity is measured to be around 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 4} m/s without a magnetic field. It was found that the application of a magnetic field does not change ion velocities in the interelectrode region while leads to ion acceleration in the free expanding plasma plume by a factor of about 2. Ion velocities of about 3.5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 4} m/s were detected for the magnetic field of about 300 mT at distance of about 100-200 mm from the cathode. It is proposed that plasma is accelerated due to Lorentz force. The average thrust is calculated using the ion velocity measurements and the cathode mass consumption rate, and its increase with the magnetic field is demonstrated.

• OSTI ID: 22072499
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 19, Issue 6; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ACCELERATION
CATHODES
CONSUMPTION RATES
DISTANCE
DISTURBANCES
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTROSTATIC PROBES
ION DETECTION
LORENTZ FORCE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
PLASMA JETS
PLUMES
THRUSTERS
TIME-OF-FLIGHT METHOD
TITANIUM IONS
VELOCITY
WAVE FORMS