Plasma Characterization of Hall Thruster with Active and Passive Segmented Electrodes

[摘要] Non-emissive electrodes and ceramic spacers placed along the Hall thruster channel are shown to affect the plasma potential distribution and the thruster operation. These effects are associated with physical properties of the electrode material and depend on the electrode configuration, geometry and the magnetic field distribution. An emissive segmented electrode was able to maintain thruster operation by supplying an additional electron flux to sustain the plasma discharge between the anode and cathode neutralizer. These results indicate the possibility of new configurations for segmented electrode Hall thruster.

[发布日期] 2002-09-04 [发布机构] Princeton University. Plasma Physics Laboratory.

[关键词] Plasma-Wall Interaction;Cathodes;Magnetic Fields;Anodes;70 Plasma Physics And Fusion Technology