ExB Measurements of a 200 W Xenon Hall Thruster
Abstract
Angularly resolved ion species fractions of Xe+1, Xe+2, and Xe+3 in the Busek BHT-200-X3 xenon Hall thruster plume were measured using an ExB probe for several operating conditions. The thruster was operated at nominal anode potential of 250 V and swept from 200 V to 325 V in 25 V increments. The ExB probe was placed 60 cm downstream of the exit plane and rotated up to 90 degrees from centerline. At the nominal anode potential, the ion species fractions of the multiply charged xenon ions were lower, while at increased discharged voltages Xe+2 and Xe+3 showed an increase in their respective species fractions. At angles beyond 35 degrees, an additional low energy peak was observed suggesting additional collisions in the far-field produce these low energy ions. Our goals are to characterize the thruster ion distribution and to verify predictions of various numerical models by investigating the effects of thruster operation and chamber backpressure on the production of charge exchange ions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA436838
Entities
People
- J. M. Ekholm
- W. A. Hargus Jr.
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory