Title :
Fast Camera Imaging of Hall Thruster Ignition
Author :
Ellison, C.L. ; Raitses, Y. ; Fisch, N.J.
Author_Institution :
Princeton Plasma Phys. Lab., Princeton Univ., Princeton, NJ, USA
Abstract :
Hall thrusters provide efficient space propulsion by electrostatic acceleration of ions. Rotating electron clouds in the thruster overcome the space charge limitations of other methods. Images of the thruster start-up, taken with a fast camera, reveal a bright ionization period which settles into steady-state operation over 50 μs. The cathode introduces azimuthal asymmetry, which persists for about 30 μs into the ignition.
Keywords :
ignition; ionisation; plasma diagnostics; plasma magnetohydrodynamics; plasma transport processes; propulsion; space charge; Hall thruster ignition; bright ionization period; cathodes; electrostatic acceleration; fast camera imaging; rotating electron clouds; space charge; space propulsion; steady-state operation; Cameras; Cathodes; Ignition; Image color analysis; Plasmas; Space charge; Plasma devices; plasma diagnostics;
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TPS.2011.2121925
