Non-intrusive tools for electric propulsion diagnostics

Dancheva, Yordanka; Pagano, D.; Scaranzin, S.; Mercatelli, R.; Presi, M.; Scortecci, Fabrizio; Castellini, G.

doi:10.1007/s12567-021-00360-w

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…A variety of intrusive techniques have been historically implemented for broad plasma characterization, but these diagnostics are largely perturbative and often suffer from poor spatial and temporal resolutions [30]. Prior art includes Langmuir probes (plasma potentials, electron densities, electron temperatures), Faraday probes (local ion charge fluxes, local electron charge fluxes), retarding potential analyzers (ion energy distribution functions), and Wien ExB filters (charge-states, ion energy distribution functions) [31][32][33][34].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior art includes Langmuir probes (plasma potentials, electron densities, electron temperatures), Faraday probes (local ion charge fluxes, local electron charge fluxes), retarding potential analyzers (ion energy distribution functions), and Wien ExB filters (charge-states, ion energy distribution functions) [31][32][33][34]. Limitations of invasive techniques quickly sparked interest in nonintrusive/passive diagnostics-including optical emission spectroscopy (OES) (populations corresponding to species state transitions), laser-induced fluorescence (populations corresponding to species state absorption then emission, ion drift velocities), and laser Thomson scattering (electron number densities, temperatures, and distribution functions) [30,35,36]. However, these non-intrusive methods exhibit their own set of disadvantages-typically referring to time and path-averaging, sensitivity-issues, a difficulty in absolute calibration, and/or great experimental complexities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The application of coherent microwave scattering and multiphoton ionization for diagnostics of electric propulsion systems

Patel

Karunarathne

Nicholas

et al. 2023

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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Nonintrusive measurements of plasma properties are essential to evaluate, and numerically simulate, the in-flight performance of electric propulsion systems. As a logical first step in the development of new diagnostic techniques, this work depicts the implementation of multiphoton ionization and coherent microwave scattering (MPI-CMS) in a gridded-ion accelerator operating on rare gases. Presented studies primarily comprise photoionization spectroscopy of ground & excited state-populations of both neutrals and ions – supplemented by optical emission spectroscopy and Langmuir probe derived plume properties. Results suggest the potential of MPI-CMS for non-intrusive measurements of specie number densities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The application of coherent microwave scattering and multiphoton ionization for diagnostics of electric propulsion systems

Patel

Karunarathne

Nicholas

et al. 2023

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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Broadband (kHz–GHz) characterization of instabilities in Hall thruster inside a metallic vacuum chamber

Mazières

Guglielmi²,

Laquerbe

et al. 2022

Physics of Plasmas

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Hall thrusters are known to exhibit a large variety of instabilities. Their physical mechanisms have been identified at low (kHz) and intermediate (MHz) frequencies, even though they are still not fully understood. Furthermore, electromagnetic radiations generated by Hall thrusters, named “self-emission” of the thruster, have been measured from kHz to MHz as expected from the identified instabilities, but also at higher frequencies. The origin of the high frequency (GHz) self-emission remains for now unknown. Assessing this self-emission, that is important for understanding the physics of Hall thrusters as well as for electromagnetic compatibility issues with the spacecraft, is challenging. Another aspect that makes the understanding of the physics of Hall thrusters complex comes from the eventual coupling between instabilities, which has been recently suggested and observed. The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility of characterizing simultaneously instabilities in Hall thrusters on a broadband frequency range (from kHz to GHz) in situ, meaning in a conventionally used vacuum chamber where Hall thrusters are usually operated. We show in this paper that, despite the reverberant nature of the vacuum metallic chamber, useful information is extracted at low and intermediate frequencies and even at high frequency from the measurements done with an antenna in this environment.

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Ion dynamic characterization using phase-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a Hall effect thruster

Dancheva

Coniglio

Valle

et al. 2023

Review of Scientific Instruments

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Significant information on the dynamics of the plasma constituents in Hall effect thrusters can be obtained using minimally intrusive techniques, such as laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) diagnostics. Indeed, LIF provides an excellent tool to determine the ion velocity distribution function with high spatial resolution. Even in a steady-state operation, recording time-resolved maps of the velocity distribution is relevant due to persisting time-dependent features of the thruster discharge. One of the preeminent phenomena that render the ion velocity distribution to be time dependent is commonly attributed to the breathing mode, characterized by pronounced oscillations in the discharge current. The goal of this work is to propose a new technique for plasma dynamic studies based on LIF spectroscopy with phase-resolution during the breathing period. For this purpose, the Hilbert transform is used to define the instantaneous phase of oscillation of the thruster current. Ion velocity distribution modification over assigned phases of oscillation is measured simultaneously and in real-time thanks to a fully numerical analysis of the data.

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Non-intrusive tools for electric propulsion diagnostics

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

The application of coherent microwave scattering and multiphoton ionization for diagnostics of electric propulsion systems

The application of coherent microwave scattering and multiphoton ionization for diagnostics of electric propulsion systems

Broadband (kHz–GHz) characterization of instabilities in Hall thruster inside a metallic vacuum chamber

Ion dynamic characterization using phase-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a Hall effect thruster

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