Research Work

Implementation of a Cryogenic Camera System

This report details the design and implementation of a CAD modeled cryogenic camera mount assembly to be used in a dual-phase xenon time projection model. In this experiment, the necessary constraints were taken into account during the conceptual design phase, while the final design was then modeled and assembled using SolidWorks, a CAD modelling software. Finally, work was completed in setting up the necessary equipment to run a trial for the camera and camera mount assembly in order to determine various logistics, such as the true camera image resolution, maximum viewing angle, and performance within the true cryogenic conditions within the chamber

Fluctuations and Transport in Two-Dimensional (Axial/Azimuthal) Hybrid Hall Thruster Simulations

Simulations of Hall thrusters that aim to resolve the global discharge plasma generally use either fluid, or hybrid (fluid/PIC) models in the axial and radial coordinates. Those descriptions, which do not resolve azimuthal flows, employ ad-hoc electron transport parameters in order to reproduce experimental measurements. On the other hand, experiments, theory, as well as kinetic simulations indicate that azimuthal fluctuations likely play an important role in regulating such cross field “anomalous” electron transport.1 In this work we report on results from an axial/azimuthal hybrid model which does resolve the azimuthal dynamics. Our findings indicate that while azimuthal fluctuations naturally emerge in the simulations, their phase is not optimal for transport, and as a result the overall simulated discharge current is well below that found in experiments. Work is underway to implement an electron transport model in the simulations in order to better reproduce experimental current levels. [1] Lafleur, T., Baalrud, S. D., Chabert, P., Theory for the Anomalous Electron Transport in Hall Effect thrusters. II. Kinetic Model, Phys. Plasmas, Vol. 23, 2016, pp. 053503-053513.