Near-Anode Processes in Hall Thrusters
Near-anode processes
in Hall Thrusters, namely anode sheath, may have an effect on the thruster
operation. Anode sheath in Hall Thrusters is determined by operating
conditions, namely by discharge voltage, propellant mass flow rate and radial magnetic field profile,
as well as thruster geometry and configuration. The goal of this research is to
investigate near-anode processes experimentally, and understand physical
conditions for thruster operation in “negative sheath” and “positive sheath”
regimes. We use
movable radial
probe setup to measure plasma parameters inside the near-anode region of a
3 kW Hall thruster.
For more details, see our publications.
Copyright © 2003 Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory