Testing a Helicon Double Layer Thruster Immersed in a Space-Simulation Chamber
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چکیده
The Helicon Double Layer Thruster, a new magnetoplasma thruster that accelerates ions to supersonic velocities using a current-free electric double layer, has been tested successfully for the first time inside a space-simulation vacuum chamber. Using a retarding field energy analyzer, the presence of a current-free double layer and the associated ion beam in argon have been confirmed for operating conditions of 0:297 mgs 1 of argon, 53.3 mPa gas pressure, 100Wof radio-frequency forward power at 13.56MHz, and amaximum axialmagnetic field of 138G. The inductively coupled plasma and ion beam formed have been characterized axially, and themeasured beamvelocity is about 8:7 kms 1 for these conditions. The effect ofmoving theHeliconDoubleLayerThruster source tube relative to the magnetic field and radio-frequency antenna is investigated, and the pressure dependence of the double layer is measured from 20 to 275mPa and comparedwith a recently developed theoretical model. Ions in theHeliconDouble Layer Thruster exhaust are also shown to be nonmagnetized, suggesting that ion detachment has occurred.
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تاریخ انتشار 2007