TY - GEN
T1 - Magnetic Field Effects on the Plume of a Diverging Cusped-Field Thruster
AU - Matlock, Taylor
AU - Gildea, Stephen
AU - Hu, Fuzhou
AU - Becker, Nicholas Michael
AU - Lozano, Paulo
AU - Martinez-Sanchez, Manuel
N1 - KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01
PY - 2012/11/15
Y1 - 2012/11/15
N2 - The Diverging Cusped-Field Thruster (DCFT) uses three permanent ring magnets of
alternating polarity to create a unique magnetic topology intended to reduce plasma losses
to the discharge chamber surfaces. The magnetic field strength within the DCFT discharge
chamber (up to 4 kG on axis) is much higher than in thrusters of similar geometry, which is
believed to be a driving factor in the high measured anode efficiencies. The field strength
in the near plume region is large as well, which may bear on the high beam divergences
measured, with peaks in ion current found at angles of around 30-35 from the thruster
axis. Characterization of the DCFT has heretofore involved only one magnetic topology.
It is then the purpose of this study to investigate changes to the near-field plume caused by
altering the shape and strength of the magnetic field. A thick magnetic collar, encircling
the thruster body, is used to lower the field strength outside of the discharge chamber
and thus lessen any effects caused by the external field. Changes in the thruster plume
with field topology are monitored by the use of normal Langmuir and emissive probes
interrogating the near-field plasma. Results are related to other observations that suggest
a unified conceptual framework for the important near-exit region of the thruster.
AB - The Diverging Cusped-Field Thruster (DCFT) uses three permanent ring magnets of
alternating polarity to create a unique magnetic topology intended to reduce plasma losses
to the discharge chamber surfaces. The magnetic field strength within the DCFT discharge
chamber (up to 4 kG on axis) is much higher than in thrusters of similar geometry, which is
believed to be a driving factor in the high measured anode efficiencies. The field strength
in the near plume region is large as well, which may bear on the high beam divergences
measured, with peaks in ion current found at angles of around 30-35 from the thruster
axis. Characterization of the DCFT has heretofore involved only one magnetic topology.
It is then the purpose of this study to investigate changes to the near-field plume caused by
altering the shape and strength of the magnetic field. A thick magnetic collar, encircling
the thruster body, is used to lower the field strength outside of the discharge chamber
and thus lessen any effects caused by the external field. Changes in the thruster plume
with field topology are monitored by the use of normal Langmuir and emissive probes
interrogating the near-field plasma. Results are related to other observations that suggest
a unified conceptual framework for the important near-exit region of the thruster.
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10754/594719
UR - http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2010-7104
U2 - 10.2514/6.2010-7104
DO - 10.2514/6.2010-7104
M3 - Conference contribution
SN - 9781600869587
BT - 46th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit
PB - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
ER -