Operation and plume measurements of miniaturized cylindrical Hall thrusters with permanent magnets

Yevgeny Raitses, Enrique Merino, Jeffrey B. Parker, Nathaniel J. Fisch

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two permanent magnet versions of the miniaturized cylindrical Hall thruster (CHT) with different channel outer diameters, 1.5 cm and 2.6 cm, were operated in the power range of 50W-300 W. With twice smaller total power consumption, the 2.6 cm CHT is twice lighter than its electromagnet counterpart. Results of the discharge and plasma plume measurements suggest that the CHT with permanent magnets and electromagnet coils operate rather differently. In particular, the plasma flow from the permanent magnet thrusters has an unusual halo shape of the angular ion current density distribution with a majority of high energy ions flowing at the angles of 50°-70° with respect to the thruster centerline. This divergence of the energetic ion flow leads to the reduced efficiency of the thrust production in these thrusters.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication45th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
StatePublished - 2009
Event45th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit - Denver, CO, United States
Duration: Aug 2 2009Aug 5 2009

Publication series

Name45th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit

Other

Other45th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver, CO
Period8/2/098/5/09

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • General Energy
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

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