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The flexible magnetic field thrusterThe thruster is designed so that ion currents to various internal surfaces can be measured directly; these measurements facilitate calculations of the distribution of ion currents inside the discharge chamber. Experiments are described suggesting that the distribution of ion currents inside the discharge chamber is strongly dependent on the shape and strength of the magnetic field but independent of the discharge current, discharge voltage, and neutral flow rate. Measurements of the energy cost per plasma ion suggest that this cost decreases with increasing magnetic field strength as a consequence of increased anode shielding from the primary electrons. Energy costs per argon plasma ion as low as 50 eV are measured. The energy cost per beam ion is found to be a function of the energy cost per plasma ion, extracted ion fraction, and discharge voltage. Part of the energy cost per beam ion has to do with creating many ions in the plasma and then extracting only a fraction of them into the beam. The balance of the energy goes into accelerating the remaining plasma ions into the walls of the discharge chamber.
Document ID
19830031335
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Brophy, J. R.
(Colorado State Univ. Fort Collins, CO, United States)
Wilbur, P. J.
(Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1982
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 82-1936
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
83A12553
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-06-002-112
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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