Indicator of abnormal cathode electron emission state with gas flow in Hall thrusters

Abstract

Abstract The accurate diagnosis of abnormal electron emission state in hollow cathodes is crucial for the stable operation of Hall electric propulsion systems. In this study, a method of reducing the cathode working gas flow rate was used to simulate abnormal working conditions in which the cathode electron emission state (CEES) was deteriorating. By analyzing and comparing the oscillation signals under abnormal and steady-state working conditions, it was found that as the CEES deteriorated, the power content of the breathing oscillation decreased in the 1–40 kHz frequency band, and the main frequency decreased; in contrast, the power content of the transit-time oscillation increased in the 100–500 kHz range, and the main frequency was on the rise. Combined with the current growth rate analysis of breathing and transit-time oscillations, when the cathode gas flow rate decreases, the CEES deteriorates, the coupling voltage drop increases, and the potential drop in the channel decreases. The electron temperature and nonlinear power absorption of the electrons decrease, leading to a decrease in the growth rate of breathing oscillations and the breathing oscillation weakens; however, the time-averaged ion velocity and ion sound velocity in the channel decrease simultaneously, but the ion velocity decreases significantly faster than the ion sound velocity, leading to an increase in the growth rate of the transit-time oscillation, and the transit-time oscillation strengthen. Through comparison of the oscillation signals under different working conditions, such as varied anode flow rate, anode voltage, magnetic induction, it was proven to be a unique feature of CEES deteriorates, and can be used as an indicator of CEES deteriorates during the on-orbit operation of the Hall-effect thrusters.