Evaluation of particle transport for the P80-1 spacecraft

Charged and neutral particle transport from an 8-cm mercury ion thruster to the surfaces of the P80-1 spacecraft, the Teal Ruby sensor and the ECOM-501 sensor was examined. Evaluation of particle transport modes utilized both laboratory measurements and analysis. Line-of-sight particle transport considered deposition of Group II (high energy-high angle mercury charge exchange) ions and neutral mercury on solar array surfaces. Nonline-of-sight transport modes studied were recirculation/reinterception of mercury ions in magnetic fields and refraction of low energy mercury charge exchange (Group IV) ions by local electric fields.