The Effects of Clustering Multiple Hall Thrusters on Plasma Plume Properties
Abstract
Clusters of Hall thrusters have been proposed as a means of achieving electric propulsion systems capable of operating at very high power levels. To facilitate testing in existing vacuum facilities initial tests have focused on a cluster of low-power Busek BHT-2OO-X3 Hall thrusters. A combination of triple Laugmuir probes and floating emissive probes has been used to study the effects of multi-thruster operation on the electron number density, electron temperature, and plasma potential in the plasma plume. The resultant number density is shown to be a result of linear superposition of the plumes of individual thrusters while the electron temperature in the cluster plume is measured to be slightly higher than that caused by operation of a single thruster. The plasma potential downstream of the cluster is shown to obey the Boltzmann relation. In the region between the thrusters the plasma potential increases as a function of downstream distance and may result in reflection of some low-energy charge exchange ions back toward the cluster. A mechanism that may lead to slightly reduced ion beam divergence through focusing of ions directed toward the thruster centerline is discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 29, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA415051
Entities
People
- Alec D. Gallimore
- Brian E. Beal
- William A. Hargas
Organizations
- University of Michigan