Development of an annular micro-Hall-effect thruster and Halbach permanent magnet arrays in Hall-effect thrusters

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Date
2018
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Publisher
University of Alabama Libraries
Abstract

The research following began the initial steps in developing a micro-Hall-effect thruster for the use on a University of Alabama designed and built CubeSat. Additionally, the implementation of an asymmetric magnetic field utilizing a Halbach array of permanent magnets was computationally modelled and constructed. Facilities to support this research we’re not available at UA at the beginning of this effort, and were developed over the course of the research. Results of the magnetic computational models found a large difference in the magnetic fields of the MHET ring magnet and Halbach array designs. The UA MHET ring magnet was successfully operated for a combined 20 hours of testing, at a range of 5 to 50 W of power over varying voltages and mass flows. Additionally, two ion current sweeps were taken using a Faraday probe and the data analyzed, with the result that the design that was swept was not magnetically correct and would need to be solved before continuing testing. With a new design constructed, testing will continue to verify the magnetic field is correct and a nominal ion current sweep is achieved. Additionally, the operational window for the design, the lifetime, and thrust must all be tested before a thruster can be deemed flight ready for a UA CubeSat. Additionally, the Halbach array variant should also be tested and compared to the ring magnet design to look for novel operation and potentially useful results to implement into future Hall-effect thruster designs.

Description
Electronic Thesis or Dissertation
Keywords
Aerospace engineering, Plasma physics
Citation