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A cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor for real-time Hall thruster erosion measurements.

B C Lee1, W Huang2, L Tao3

  • 1Physics Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, USA.

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A new cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor measures sputtered boron in real-time from Hall thrusters. This development aids in understanding thruster erosion and improving spacecraft propulsion systems.

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Area of Science:

  • Plasma Physics
  • Space Propulsion Engineering
  • Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Hall thrusters are crucial for spacecraft propulsion but suffer erosion of their insulating channels.
  • Understanding the sputtering of channel material, like boron nitride, is key to predicting thruster lifetime.
  • Real-time in-situ measurements of sputtered species are needed to validate erosion models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CW-CRDS) sensor for measuring atomic boron density.
  • To apply the sensor for real-time boron density measurements in the plumes of two different Hall thrusters.
  • To compare sensor measurements with erosion models and experimental profilometry data.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a continuous-wave frequency-quadrupled diode laser at 250 nm for probing ground state atomic boron.
  • Employed a high-finesse optical cavity for sensitive absorption measurements.
  • Validated the sensor using a controlled ion beam setup and applied it to H6 and SPT-70 Hall thrusters.

Main Results:

  • Achieved real-time measurements of peak boron densities up to 10 ± 2 × 10^14 m^-3 in the H6 thruster plume.
  • Measured peak boron densities of 7.2 ± 1.1 × 10^14 m^-3 in the SPT-70 thruster plume.
  • Estimated eroded channel volumes and erosion rates showed good agreement (within a factor of 2 and ~20%, respectively) with profilometry data.

Conclusions:

  • The developed CW-CRDS sensor is effective for real-time monitoring of sputtered boron in Hall thruster plumes.
  • The measurements provide valuable data for validating and improving Hall thruster erosion models.
  • The study highlights the challenges and potential of using high-finesse cavities in energetic plasma environments.