Expand this Topic clickable element to expand a topic
Skip to content
Optica Publishing Group

Instability mechanism and discharge regime diagnosis of microthrusters based on plasma properties

Not Accessible

Your library or personal account may give you access

Abstract

In order to make it possible to control the plasma state and predict the regime transitions via coupling optical and electrical diagnosis in aerospace engineering, we have experimentally investigated the regime transitions under 0.1–15 kPa with an input discharge power of 0–25 W in a parallel-plate electrode configuration. An abnormal glow discharge (AGD), filamentary discharge (FD), and arc discharge (AD) are distinguished using the voltage–current characteristics under different gas pressures. The electron excitation temperature (${{\rm T}_e}$), electron density (${{\rm N}_e}$), spatial resolutions of ${{\rm T}_e}$ and ${{\rm N}_e}$, and ionization degree are obtained via optical emission spectroscopy to reveal the transition mechanisms. Thermal instability, characterized by ${{\rm T}_e}$, plays a dominant role during the transition from an AGD to an FD. The conclusions are supported by analysis of ionization degree, whereas electronic instability becomes the dominant mechanism in the transition from an FD to an AD. This is related to collision kinetics because of an observed drop in ${{\rm N}_e}$, which is verified by the spatial resolution as well. Moreover, planar laser-induced fluorescence provides further insight into the instantaneous location and relative number variation of Ar ${{1s}_5}$ metastable atoms, which agrees well with the plasma properties mentioned above. In addition, a pressure of 1 kPa with a maximum input power of 17.5 W are specified as suitable working parameters for further study when applied to microthrusters due to its higher ${{\rm N}_e}$ and better stability.

© 2021 Optical Society of America

Full Article  |  PDF Article
More Like This
Discharge status diagnosis based on chromaticity coordinates

Yuwei Wang, Xingwang Li, Ziqing Guo, Jiahui Hu, and Qizheng Ye
Appl. Opt. 60(14) 4245-4250 (2021)

Cited By

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Figures (15)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Figure files are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Tables (2)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article tables are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Equations (4)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Equations are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Select as filters


Select Topics Cancel
© Copyright 2024 | Optica Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved