Print Email Facebook Twitter Multiprobe characterization of plasma flows for space propulsion Title Multiprobe characterization of plasma flows for space propulsion Author Damba, Julius (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) Argente, P. (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) Maldonado, P. E. Cervone, A. (TU Delft Space Systems Egineering) Domenech-Garret, J.L. (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) Conde, Luis (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) Date 2018-02-12 Abstract Plasma engines for space propulsion generate plasma jets (also denominated plasma plumes) having supersonic ion groups with typical speeds in the order of tens of kilometers per second, which lies between electron and ion thermal speeds. Studies of the stationary plasma expansion process using a four-grid retarding field energy analyzer (RFEA), an emissive probe (EP) and a Langmuir probe (LP), all mounted on a three dimensionally (3D) displaced multiprobe structure are discussed. Specifically, the determination of plasma beam properties from the RFEA current-voltage (IV) characteristic curves is presented. The experimental results show the ion energy spectra to be essentially unchanged over 300 mm along the plasma-jet expansion axis of symmetry. The measured ion velocity distribution function (IVDF) results from the superposition of different ion groups and has two dominant populations: A low-energy group constituted of ions from the background plasma is produced by the interaction of the plasma jet with the walls of the vacuum chamber. The fast-ion population is composed of ions from the plasma beam moving at supersonic speeds with respect to the low-energy ions. The decreasing spatial profiles of the plasma-jet current density are compared with those of the low-energy ion group, which are not uniform along the axis of symmetry because of the small contributions from other ion populations with intermediate speeds. To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:10992373-f0bd-4ab4-a668-b55870282119 DOI https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/958/1/012002 ISSN 1742-6588 Source Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 958 (1) Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2018 Julius Damba, P. Argente, P. E. Maldonado, A. Cervone, J.L. Domenech-Garret, Luis Conde Files PDF pdf.pdf 517.69 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:10992373-f0bd-4ab4-a668-b55870282119/datastream/OBJ/view