Characterization of diamagnetism inside an ECR thruster with a diamagnetic loop
Open Access
- 1 May 2019
- journal article
- research article
- Published by AIP Publishing in Physics of Plasmas
- Vol. 26 (5), 053511
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5093980
Abstract
The plasma-induced magnetic field in an electron cyclotron resonance plasma thruster is measured non-intrusively by means of a diamagnetic loop that encloses the plasma flow. The calibration process is described, and parasitic currents in the thruster walls and plasma oscillations are identified as the dominant sources of uncertainty. The integrated magnetic flux is seen to depend on the applied power and less significantly on the mass flow rate. The effect of the diamagnetic loop radius is also studied by testing two loops of different diameters. To estimate the perpendicular electron pressure in the plasma from the loop measurements, two plasma beam models, 1D and 2D, are used. While both models give similar results for the small loop, they differ significantly for the large loop, showing the relevance of 2D effects when a large diamagnetic loop is used.Keywords
Funding Information
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (730028)
- Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (PN ESP2016-75887)
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