The application of the triple probe method to MPD thruster plumesThe triple probe method is an attractive technique for measuring axial and radial profiles of electron temperature T(e) and electron number density n(e) in magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster plumes. In this paper the performance and applicability of the triple probe to MPD thruster plumes is evaluated by identifying sources of error, correction methods, and error estimation techniques. Included in the analysis is an adaptation of Laframboise's exact calculations to the triple probe, aligned with the flow vector, and a preliminary investigation of the effect of flow transverse to the probe axis. In MPD thrusters, the triple probe method can provide measurement accuracy of T(e) wintin about 10 percent and n(e) within about 60 percent.
Document ID
19900055572
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kelly, Arnold J. (Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)
Jahn, Robert G. (Princeton University NJ, United States)
Tilley, Dennis L. (Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)