Performance characterization and ion energy analysis of a 2-kW hall thruster with segmented anodes

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to describe the change in performance and ion energy distribution in a 2-kW Hall thruster operated with segmented anodes. The effect on the performance and ion energy distribution as discharge current is shifted from the main anode to tlie shim electrodes is examined. Performance was largely unaffected by shifting current from the main anode to the shims. A water cooled ExB probe was utilized to determine the Ion energy distribution. A change in the dominant singly charged ion energy was observed when the shim electrode voltage was varied. Measurable increases in singly charged xenon velocities correlated with slight performance gains. The tliruster geometry examined here has been proposed for control of tlie temperature of a bismuth propellant feed system. No significant change in thrust, Isp, or efficiency indicates that a bismuth thruster could be operated and thermally controlled using segmented anodes without significant impact on the performance.

Publication Title

Collection of Technical Papers - AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE 42nd Joint Propulsion Conference

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