Diagnostic of plasma streams from ion thrusters for space propulsion using emissive probes

摘要

Theemissiveprobesareemployedforthedeterminationofthelocalplasmapotentialofplasmastreamsproducedbyionthrusters.Itsoperationbasicallyreliesonelectroncollectionandemissionandarelesssensitivetotheionmotionthancollectingprobes.Thediagnosticusingemissiveprobesisreviewedwithemphasisinlowdensityplasmas.Ourresultssupporttheconclusionthatpotentialstructuresaroundtheprobe,asvirtualcathodes,wouldberesponsiblefortheoperationofemissiveprobesinlowdensityplasmas...