IR and FIR Laser Diagnostics for Plasma Thrusters Using a CW CO2 Radiation Source

Abstract

The accomplishments during this contract period have been related to the development of a multi-beam interferometer system, which would utilize a CO2 laser system for high sensitivity, to eventually be used to diagnose plasma in the electromagnetic expansion region of a plasma thruster. Since the application of interest is a 1/4 Scale MPD experiment, funded by NASA, where plasma is poorly known, the CO2 laser interferometer will first be tested with a single beam on a DC discharge experiment whose plasma characteristics are well known. That experiment has been assembled and tested. The CO2 laser system has been tested and found to be satisfactory. Keywords: Carbon dioxide lasers, Plasma Diagnostics, Plasma thrusters.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA226816

Entities

People

  • Thomas M. York

Organizations

  • Ohio State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amplifiers
  • Back Pressure
  • Classification
  • Detectors
  • Electrical Circuits
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Far Infrared Lasers
  • Far Infrared Radiation
  • Interferometers
  • Lasers
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Measurement
  • Radiation
  • Test Facilities
  • Thrusters

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster