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<p>Electric propulsion (EP) ground tests need to address multiple facility effects such as carbon sputtering, erosion, and deposition across the inner surfaces of both the thruster and vacuum chamber facilities. As part of a multi-university experimental investigation of the H9 Hall effect thruster as a part of the Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute (JANUS), this paper reports on surface morphology of polycrystalline graphite with different grain sizes and stainless-steel 304 panels tested based on the total fluence of incident ions. Erosion and deposition are evaluated using target and witness plates placed strategically throughout the vacuum facility. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images provide useful qualitative&#xa0;insight into surface morphology while optical profilometry and laser confocal methods provide quantitative results. Quantitative estimates show high uncertainty due to the short test duration,&#xa0;total ion&#xa0;fluence, and surface anomalies; but inform improved approaches to future tests. Preliminary energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) measurements reveal evidence of&#xa0;deposition on witness plates from non-carbon sources such as&#xa0;stainless-steel and aluminum. These results support companion sputter/deposition modeling efforts and suggest that additional graphite shielding of facility surfaces and use of&#xa0;advanced materials and beam target design may prove beneficial for sputter material mitigation.</p>

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Hall thruster krypton sputtering and deposition for vacuum facility materials

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月23日

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  • Ryan W. Cowan,
  • Saptarshi Biswas,
  • Luke K. Franz,
  • Christopher M. Cretel,
  • Richard A. Obenchain,
  • Richard E. Wirz

摘要

Electric propulsion (EP) ground tests need to address multiple facility effects such as carbon sputtering, erosion, and deposition across the inner surfaces of both the thruster and vacuum chamber facilities. As part of a multi-university experimental investigation of the H9 Hall effect thruster as a part of the Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute (JANUS), this paper reports on surface morphology of polycrystalline graphite with different grain sizes and stainless-steel 304 panels tested based on the total fluence of incident ions. Erosion and deposition are evaluated using target and witness plates placed strategically throughout the vacuum facility. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images provide useful qualitative insight into surface morphology while optical profilometry and laser confocal methods provide quantitative results. Quantitative estimates show high uncertainty due to the short test duration, total ion fluence, and surface anomalies; but inform improved approaches to future tests. Preliminary energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) measurements reveal evidence of deposition on witness plates from non-carbon sources such as stainless-steel and aluminum. These results support companion sputter/deposition modeling efforts and suggest that additional graphite shielding of facility surfaces and use of advanced materials and beam target design may prove beneficial for sputter material mitigation.