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A retarding potential analyzer design for keV-level ion thruster beams.

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A new Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) measures high-energy plasma beams up to 1200 eV, overcoming previous limitations. Researchers also identified and resolved an arcing issue in grid spacing for improved performance.

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Area of Science:

  • Space plasma physics
  • Plasma diagnostics
  • Ion propulsion systems

Background:

  • Existing Retarding Potential Analyzers (RPAs) have limitations in measuring high-density plasma beams.
  • High ion energies and densities are crucial parameters in space propulsion and plasma research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a novel Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) design capable of measuring keV-level energy, high-density plasma beams.
  • To address and overcome the limitations of current RPA instruments.
  • To investigate and resolve an observed grid spacing arcing phenomenon.

Main Methods:

  • RPA design parameters were determined through analysis of electron density and temperature, sheath thickness, and ion density using Faraday probe and Langmuir probe measurements.
  • Experimental investigation of a previously unobserved grid spacing arcing phenomenon.
  • Development of a grid spacing criterion to mitigate arcing.

Main Results:

  • The new RPA design successfully measures plasma beams with densities exceeding 1 × 10^15 m^-3 and ion energies up to 1200 eV.
  • A novel grid spacing arcing phenomenon was identified and characterized.
  • A criterion for grid spacing was proposed and validated to prevent arcing.

Conclusions:

  • The developed RPA offers enhanced capabilities for characterizing high-energy, high-density plasma beams.
  • The proposed grid spacing criterion effectively eliminates arcing, improving instrument reliability.
  • The instrument was successfully tested on plasma beams from a Xenon ion thruster on the SJ-9A satellite.