Diagnostic of plasma streams from ion thrusters for space propulsion using emissive probes

6th International Workshop & Summer School on Plasma Physics 2014

Conde, L.^1 ; Tierno, S.P.^1 ; Domenech-Garret, J.L.^1 ; Donoso, J.M.^1 ; Castillo, M.A.^2 ; Eriz, I.^3 ; De Ocáriz, I. Sáez^3

Dept. de Fsica Aplicada, ETSIAE, Univ. Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid

28040, Spain^1

Aernnova Engineering Solutions, Madrid

28030, Spain^2

Centro de Tecnologas Aeronáuticas, Minano, Vitoria, Spain^3

关键词: Electron collections;    Emissive probe;    Low-density plasmas;    Plasma potential;    Plasma streams;    Potential structure;    Space propulsions;    Virtual cathodes;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/768/1/012010/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/768/1/012010

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

The emissive probes are employed for the determination of the local plasma potential of plasma streams produced by ion thrusters. Its operation basically relies on electron collection and emission and are less sensitive to the ion motion than collecting probes. The diagnostic using emissive probes is reviewed with emphasis in low density plasmas. Our results support the conclusion that potential structures around the probe, as virtual cathodes, would be responsible for the operation of emissive probes in low density plasmas.