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Optimization, Test and Diagnostics of Miniaturized Hall Thrusters
Published on: February 16, 2019
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Recent H- diagnostics, plasma simulations, and 2X scaled Penning ion source developments at the Rutherford Appleton
S R Lawrie1, D C Faircloth1, J D Smith2
1STFC ISIS Pulsed Spallation Neutron and Muon Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|June 6, 2018
Summary
New diagnostics and upgraded components enhance negative hydrogen ion (H-) source performance. Development includes an einzel lens and a scaled Penning source, improving beam transport and reducing power density for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics and Engineering
- Ion Source Development
- Particle Accelerator Technology
Background:
- Development of Penning H- ion sources is crucial for various applications, including particle accelerators and space propulsion.
- Existing ion sources require continuous improvement in beam quality, efficiency, and operational stability.
- Advanced diagnostic tools are essential for understanding and optimizing ion source performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and enhance the performance of a Penning H- ion source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
- To implement and assess new optical elements and diagnostic devices for improved beam control and analysis.
- To develop and validate plasma simulation frameworks for ion thrusters and ion source physics.
Main Methods:
- Installation and testing of a new einzel lens for H- beam transport, achieving over 80 mA.
- Development and evaluation of a 2X scaled Penning source, delivering 65 mA H- beam at 10% duty factor.
- Deployment of electrostatic deflector plates for beam correction and chopping, quartz crystal microbalances for cesium flux measurement, and an infrared camera for thermal analysis.
- Utilizing VSim and COMSOL software for plasma simulations of ion thrusters and H- ion source surface physics.
Main Results:
- Successful transport of over 80 mA H- beam with the new einzel lens.
- The 2X scaled Penning source meets design criteria, delivering 65 mA H- ion beam.
- Electrostatic deflectors demonstrate fast response (24 ns rise time); cesium flux increased only twofold.
- Infrared camera reveals unexpected beam loss heating, while simulations show good agreement with thermal data.
- VSim framework established for modeling surface physics with arbitrary temperature and cesium fields.
Conclusions:
- The upgraded Penning H- ion source with new optical elements and diagnostics shows significant performance improvements.
- The developed diagnostic tools are effective for monitoring operational ion sources and provide valuable data for optimization.
- Advanced simulation capabilities are being established for novel ion thrusters and detailed H- ion source physics modeling.
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