ExB Measurements of a 200 W Xenon Hall Thruster (Preprint)
Abstract
Angularly resolved ion species fractions of Xe+1, Xe+2, and Xe+3 in a low power xenon Hall thruster Busek BHT-200 plume were measured using an ExB probe under a variety of thruster operating conditions and background pressures. The thruster was operated at several operating conditions by varying the anode potential of the thruster from 200 V to 325 V in 25 V increments. Measurements of the ion species fractions were made 90 from thruster centerline 60 cm downstream of the exit plane. At reduced discharge voltages, the species fractions of multiply-charged xenon ions were lower, while at increased discharge voltages, Xe+2 and Xe+3 showed an increase in their respective ion species fractions. At angles greater than 35 , a low energy peak was observed suggesting additional collisions in the far-field produce a low energy ion population. Finally, measurements were directed toward characterizing chamber backpressure effects on the plume species fractions at oblique angles between 35-90 . In the presence of additional background neutrals, production of mutiply-charged ions increased throughout the plume as a result of increased collisions and scattering.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 28, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA480956
Entities
People
- Jared M. Ekholm
- William A. Hargus
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory