Performance and active thermal control of 2-kW hall thruster with segmented electrodes

The performance and plume characteristics of a 2-k W Hall thruster with segmented anodes for thermal control of the main anode are characterized. Diagnostics performed included thrust, specific impulse, and efficiency, as well as the ion current density in the plume. The apparatus included an inverted-pendulum thrust stand for performance measurements and a shielded Faraday probe for ion current density characterization. Data were taken at several operating points and at several ratios of current to the main anode vs the shim electrodes. The data show a general increase in centerline current density, thrust, specific impulse, and efficiency as discharge current is moved to the shims. Thermal measurements show up to 50°C control authority in the main anode temperature