Application of a quadruple probe technique to MPD thruster plume measurements

摘要: A new quadruple Langmuir probe diagnostic technique is applied to the plume of a pulsed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster with argon propellant. The permits simultaneous measurement electron temperature Te, density ne, and ion flow velocity u in exhaust stream. For distances 3-25 cm from face, Te 8-1.5 eV, ne 4.8-1.2 x 10 m~, 0.7-1.8 m/s. measurements suggest that well-collimated, significantly higher than temperature, consistent an ion-conduction model thruster.