Time-Resolved Measurements of Plasma Properties Using Electrostatic Probes in the Cross-Field Discharge of a Hall Effect Thruster

Abstract

Time-resolved measurements of the plasma parameters are performed in the plume of a cross-field discharge. The plasma potential is measured with a cylindrical Langmuir probe and an emissive probe.

The electron temperature and density are measured with a cylindrical Langmuir probe. The cross-field discharge is maintained in a harmonic oscillation regime to guarantee reproducible conditions for all measurements.

Keywords

• Cross-field discharge
• Langmuir and emissive probe
• time evolution of plasma parameters