Understanding Hall Thruster Plumes in Vacuum Test Facilities
Author Information
Author(s): Jovel David R., Cabrera Janice D., Walker Mitchell L. R.
Primary Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
Hypothesis
How do metal vacuum chambers influence the electrical coupling and performance of Hall effect thrusters during testing?
Conclusion
The study confirms that the HET plume electrically interacts with the test facility’s metallic walls, which significantly influences charge neutralization pathways.
Supporting Evidence
- Significant charge-exchange ion current was measured, constituting about 23% of the total ion current.
- The plasma sheath capacitance ranged between 0.45 µF and 1.79 µF.
- Inductances varied between 76.5 nH and 101.4 nH, indicating dynamic characteristics influenced by the facility.
Takeaway
This study shows that when testing rocket engines in vacuum chambers, the metal walls help neutralize charged particles, which is important for understanding how these engines work in space.
Methodology
The study involved operating a Hall effect thruster at two power levels and measuring ion and electron currents at various locations using witness plates and Langmuir probes.
Limitations
The plasma environment is complex and 3D, making it difficult to model accurately as a simple electrical circuit.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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