Diagnostics Development of Plasma Thrusters: Comprehensive Investigation of Low-Power Arcjet Operation

Abstract

Two experimental diagnostic techniques were developed and applied to plume measurements of low power (1 kW class) hydrogen arcjets. The outstanding experimental problem of measurement of plume species density was addressed using two photon, laser induced fluorescence. Current modulation velocimetry was applied to the study of plume velocity fluctuations and it was found that they exhibited no correlation with the supply current ripple and appeared to be random.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA354040

Entities

People

  • Daniel Erwin

Organizations

  • University of Southern California

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Detection
  • Doppler Effect
  • Dye Lasers
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Engineering
  • Laser Applications
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Induced Fluorescence
  • Lasers
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Light Sources
  • Liquid Dye Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Optical Detection
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Space Propulsion

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

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