Far-Field Plume Measurements of a Nested-Channel Hall-Effect Thruster (PREPRINT)

Abstract : Far-field plume measurements were performed on the X2 nested-channel Hall-effect thruster using an array of diagnostics, including a nude Faraday probe, retarding potential analyzer, and ExB probe. Data from these probes were used to calculate utilization efficiencies from existing efficiency models in order to investigate various phenomena that contribute to the total efficiency of the X2. Comparisons of utilization efficiencies show an increase in voltage utilization and a slight decrease in charge utilization when both channels operate simultaneously (nested-channel mode). Mass utilization, current utilization, and beam divergence were approximately the same between operation of individual channels and operation of both channels. Given the results of the far-field diagnostics, a nested-channel Hall effect thruster has been shown to operate much like a conventional Hall thruster when both available channels are at the same discharge voltage. Small improvements in performance in the nested-channel mode are likely due to reduced cathode-coupling voltage and better acceleration of ions.

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