Abstract
A low transparency microchannel plate has been coupled with a single-orifice Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) to produce a viable ion energy measurement device to be operated in the high-density plasma plume of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) and other high-powered electric propulsion devices. An RPA sensor consists of several variably biased electrodes, allowing ions with sufficient energy access to a collection plate. Single-orifice RPAs have previously been designed for Hall thruster plume characterization, with particle number densities of approximately 1x10 16 m -3 . The relatively high particle number densities (larger than 1x10 18 m -3 ) inherent of PPTs or other high-power thrusters introduce various RPA sizing issues and transient phenomena, specifically electrode aperture spacing, orifice diameter, and RAM pressure build up. This paper addresses these design issues and presents results from an unstructured 3D particle in cell (PIC) simulation developed for the DµRPA channel flow.
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