Ion dynamic characterization using phase-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a Hall effect thruster

Abstract: Significant information on the dynamics of the plasma constituents in Hall effect thrusters can be obtained using minimally-intrusive techniques such as laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) diagnostics. Indeed, LIF provides an excellent tool to determine the ion velocity distribution function with high spatial resolution. Even in a steady-state operation, recording time-resolved maps of the velocity distribution is relevant due to persisting time-dependent features of the thruster discharge. One of the preeminent phenomena that renders the ion velocity distribution time dependent is commonly attributed to the breathing mode, characterized by pronounced oscillations in the discharge current. The goal of this work is to propose a new technique for plasma dynamic studies based on LIF spectroscopy with phase-resolution during the breathing period. To this purpose, the Hilbert transform is used to define the instantaneous phase of oscillation of the thruster current. Ion velocity distribution modification, over assigned phases of oscillation, is measured simultaneously and in real-time thanks to fully numerical analysis of the data.