Operating the Helicon Double Layer Thruster in a Space Simulation Chamber
- Resource Type
- Periodical
- Authors
- Charles, C.; Boswell, R.; Alexander, P.; Costa, C.; Sutherland, O.; Pfitzner, L.; Franzen, R.; Kingwell, J.; Parfitt, A.; Frigot, P.-E.; Del Amo, J.; Saccoccia, G.
- Source
- IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on. 36(4):1196-1197 Aug, 2008
- Subject
- Engineered Materials, Dielectrics and Plasmas
Fields, Waves and Electromagnetics
Prototypes
Manufacturing
Testing
Xenon
Ion beams
Virtual prototyping
Radio frequency
Density measurement
Power measurement
Probes
Acceleration
ion beams
plasma engines
propulsion
- Language
- ISSN
- 0093-3813
1939-9375
A prototype of the helicon double layer thruster (HDLT) is designed and manufactured. Initial tests with the thruster mounted on a small vacuum chamber (pumping speed of 700 $\hbox{l} \cdot \hbox{s}^{-1}$) show successful operation in xenon with the formation of the double layer which generates a low divergence ion beam, which is the source of thrust. The prototype is subsequently inserted inside a much larger space simulation chamber (pumping speed of 7000 $\hbox{l} \cdot \hbox{s}^{-1}$). A high-density blue mode is found when increasing the RF power above 380 W, and measurements with a Langmuir probe give an estimated density of $\hbox{10}^{12}\ \hbox{cm}^{-3}$ in the thruster. An image of the HDLT operating in the high-density blue mode is presented.