Near-Anode Plasma 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.