The coaxial magnetoisolated longitudinal anode concept was introduced to improve efficiency and lifetime of low-power Hall thrusters (). The coaxial magnetoisolated longitudinal anode represents a significant departure from conventional Hall thrusters and has not been thoroughly studied yet. The high efficiency of the thruster, as validated by measurements, increases the need for a better understanding of the physical processes in this type of thruster. An analysis of the coaxial magnetoisolated longitudinal anode discharge based on experimental measurements was conducted for this aim. The experimental setup includes electrical probes mounted on a fast moving positioner, enabling one to obtain the spatial distribution of plasma parameters inside the thruster channel. The results confirmed the basic assumptions used in the physical model of the coaxial magnetoisolated longitudinal anode concept and revealed new phenomena related to the radial nonuniformity of the discharge. In particular, focusing equipotentials were discovered not only in the anode cavity but also in the dielectric channel, where the area of intense ionization was located. The physical processes contributing to the formation of the focusing equipotentials are discussed.
Discharge Characterization of the Coaxial Magnetoisolated Longitudinal Anode Hall Thruster
Journal of Propulsion and Power ; 29 , 4 ; 938-949
2013-06-06
12 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Discharge Characterization of the Coaxial Magnetoisolated Longitudinal Anode Hall Thruster
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