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A review of studies on ion thruster beam and charge-exchange plasmasVarious experimental and analytical studies of the primary beam and charge-exchange plasmas of ion thrusters are reviewed. The history of plasma beam research is recounted, emphasizing experiments on beam neutralization, expansion of the beam, and determination of beam parameters such as electron temperature, plasma density, and plasma potential. The development of modern electron bombardment ion thrusters is treated, detailing experimental results. Studies on charge-exchange plasma are discussed, showing results such as the relationship between neutralizer emission current and plasma beam potential, ion energies as a function of neutralizer bias, charge-exchange ion current collected by an axially moving Faraday cup-RPA for 8-cm and 30-cm ion thrusters, beam density and potential data from a 15-cm ion thruster, and charge-exchange ion flow around a 30-cm thruster. A 20-cm thruster electrical configuration is depicted and facility effects are discussed. Finally, plasma modeling is covered in detail for plasma beam and charge-exchange plasma.
Document ID
19830031286
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Carruth, M. R., Jr.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Information and Electronic Systems Laboratory, Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1982
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 82-1944
Meeting Information
Meeting: Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, and DGLR, International Electric Propulsion Conference
Location: New Orleans, LA
Start Date: November 17, 1982
End Date: November 19, 1982
Sponsors: AIAA
Accession Number
83A12504
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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