Evidence of a free-space ion acceleration layer in the plume of a quad confinement plasma source

The quad confinement plasma source is a novel device developed for space propulsion applications, whose core an E×B discharge with open electron drift. magnetic field produced by independently powered electromagnets able to generate different topologies the ultimate aim of manipulating ion flow achieving thrust vectoring. In this work, we map velocity in ejected from thruster configurations using non-intrusive laser-induced fluorescence diagnostics. Measurements show steep acceleration layer located 8 cm downstream exit plane channel, detached any physical boundary source. location, increases 3 10 km/s within 1 axial region. profile has been characterized under multiple testing conditions order identify influence intensity and topology on peculiar layer.