Characterization of electric thruster plumes using multiplexed laser induced fluorescence measurementsThe use of laser-induced fluorescence to obtain spatially resolved measurements of propellant velocities and temperatures in electric thruster plumes is discussed, with emphasis on two innovations of the technique, namely simultaneous recording of the optogalvanic signal in a hollow cathode lamp for the purpose of calibrating Doppler shifts, and two-beam multiplexing to allow the measurement of two velocity components at once. It is also shown how information on plume fluctuations can be obtained from the multiplxed LIF data. The techniques are demonstrated on the plume from a low power arcjet, operated on argon, and its extension to the measurement of ion velocities in electrostatic ion thrusters and stationary plasma thrusters is discussed.
Document ID
19920064356
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ruyten, W. M. (University of Tennessee-Calspan Center for Space Transportation and Applied Research Tullahoma, United States)
Keefer, D. (Tennessee, University Tullahoma, United States)