Rayleigh scattering measurement of neutral atom number density downstream of a hall thruster under cold flow conditions

Masataka Iwamoto, Naoji Yamamoto, Taichi Morita, Hideki Nakashima, Kentaro Tomita, Kiichiro Uchino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The approach presented in a study uses the laser Rayleigh scattering technique. This is a non-intrusive method, and it does not disturb the plasma and neutral flow. Number densities can be measured quantitatively by calibration using 104 Pa nitrogen, so a complicated collisional-radiative model is not required. The Rayleigh scattering spectrum reflects the velocity distribution of the atoms, so propellant xenon atoms can be distinguished from the ambient xenon atoms. In addition, even when both ions and electrons are present, the neutral number density can be estimated, since the scattering spectrum is a convolution of Rayleigh and Thomson spectra.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)327-330
Number of pages4
JournalTransactions of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences
Volume60
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science

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