Interactions Within a Cluster of Low Power Hall Thrusters

Abstract

We discuss appearance of an anode current transient which persists a maximum of 500 seconds and results in a 50% increase in the anode current during initial start-up following exposure to ambient laboratory conditions. The anode current transient is characterized by 18 kHz main discharge on/off behavior. This contrasts with the steady state behavior of a strong DC component overlaid with a low amplitude 25 kHz component. Conduction through the radial magnetic field appears to be modified during the transient period. The main discharge chamber is determined to be the source of this behavior. The anode current transient appears to be a result of water absorption on the surface layer of the boron nitride insulator. We speculate as to the connection between the absorption of water and the anode current transient. The modification of the secondary electron emission coefficient could affect near wall conductivity and produce the measured effects. The introduction of hydrogen from dissociated water could also produce these enhanced oscillations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 08, 2003
Accession Number
ADA410886

Entities

People

  • W. J. Hargus Jr

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Circuits
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electrons
  • Engineering
  • Flow
  • Frequency
  • Hall Thrusters
  • Materials
  • Power Supplies
  • Pressure Regulators
  • Protons
  • Regulators
  • Steady State
  • Thrusters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster