Plasma flow field measurements downstream of a hollow cathode
| dc.contributor.author | Farnell, Casey Coffman, author | |
| dc.contributor.author | Williams, John D., advisor | |
| dc.contributor.author | Wilbur, Paul J., advisor | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-03-13T19:26:16Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-03-13T19:26:16Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2007 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The focus of the research described herein is to investigate and characterize the plasma produced downstream of a hollow cathode with the goal of identifying groups of ions and possible mechanisms of their formation within a plasma discharge that might cause erosion, especially with respect to the hollow cathode assembly. In space applications, hollow cathodes are used in electrostatic propulsion devices, especially in ion thrusters and Hall thrusters, to provide electrons to sustain the plasma discharge and neutralize the ion beam. This research is considered important based upon previous thruster life tests that have found erosion occurring on hollow cathode, keeper, and ion optics surfaces exposed to the discharge plasma. This erosion has the potential to limit the life of the thruster, especially during ambitious missions that require ultra long periods of thruster operation. Results are presented from two discharge chamber configurations that produced very different plasma environments. Four types of diagnostics are described that were used to probe the plasma including an emissive probe, a triple Langmuir probe, a remotely located electrostatic analyzer (ESA), and an ExB probe attached to the ESA. In addition, a simulation model was created that correlates the measurements from the direct and remotely located probes. | |
| dc.format.medium | born digital | |
| dc.format.medium | doctoral dissertations | |
| dc.identifier | ETDF_Farnell_2007_3299754.pdf | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10217/237720 | |
| dc.language | English | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.publisher | Colorado State University. Libraries | |
| dc.relation.ispartof | 2000-2019 | |
| dc.rights | Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright. | |
| dc.rights.license | Per the terms of a contractual agreement, all use of this item is limited to the non-commercial use of Colorado State University and its authorized users. | |
| dc.subject | electric propulsion | |
| dc.subject | hollow cathode | |
| dc.subject | ion thrusters | |
| dc.subject | plasma flow field | |
| dc.subject | aerospace engineering | |
| dc.subject | mechanical engineering | |
| dc.subject | plasma physics | |
| dc.title | Plasma flow field measurements downstream of a hollow cathode | |
| dc.type | Text | |
| dcterms.rights.dpla | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Mechanical Engineering | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Colorado State University | |
| thesis.degree.level | Doctoral | |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) |
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