{"id":{"repo_id":"rice","oai_identifier":"oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/61772"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/rice/oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/61772","repository":{"repo_id":"rice","name":"Rice University","base_url":"https://repository.rice.edu/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Ion flux maps and helicon source efficiency in the VASIMR VX-100 experiment using a moving Langmuir probe array","abstract":"This research paper describes the design, setup, and application of a moving multi-Langmuir probe array that measured and mapped ion flux and plasma source efficiency in a flowing plasma with large (∼1.5 T) external magnetic fields in the VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) VX-100 experiment. The probe array was swung through an argon plasma revealing a detailed 2-dimensional cross section. Neutral input flow and probe collector bias voltage were scanned from pulse to pulse in an effort to find optimal settings. Secondary electron emission was found to be an important factor that artificially enhanced the measured flux at large negative bias voltages. The most accurate bias voltages were found to be around -20 volts where the flux enhancing effects were minimized. Variations of this probe will be used in more advanced plasma rocket study.","abstract_html":"This research paper describes the design, setup, and application of a moving multi-Langmuir probe array that measured and mapped ion flux and plasma source efficiency in a flowing plasma with large (∼1.5 T) external magnetic fields in the VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) VX-100 experiment. The probe array was swung through an argon plasma revealing a detailed 2-dimensional cross section. Neutral input flow and probe collector bias voltage were scanned from pulse to pulse in an effort to find optimal settings. Secondary electron emission was found to be an important factor that artificially enhanced the measured flux at large negative bias voltages. The most accurate bias voltages were found to be around -20 volts where the flux enhancing effects were minimized. Variations of this probe will be used in more advanced plasma rocket study.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Olsen, Christopher Scott"],"institution":"Rice University","degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"Masters","degree_discipline":"Natural Sciences","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Cloutier, Paul A."],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2009,"date_issued":"2009","date_published":"2009","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:10:30Z","subjects":["Aerospace engineering","Plasma physics"],"languages":["eng"],"rights":["Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder."],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/1911/61772","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.advisor","label":"Advisor","values":["Cloutier, Paul A."]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Olsen, Christopher Scott"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2011-07-25T01:37:48Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2011-07-25T01:37:48Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2009"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Natural Sciences"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Rice University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Aerospace engineering","Plasma physics"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["eng"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. 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Secondary electron emission was found to be an important factor that artificially enhanced the measured flux at large negative bias voltages. The most accurate bias voltages were found to be around -20 volts where the flux enhancing effects were minimized. Variations of this probe will be used in more advanced plasma rocket study."]},{"key":"dc:format.mimetype","label":"Dc Format Mimetype","values":["application/pdf"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Ion flux maps and helicon source efficiency in the VASIMR VX-100 experiment using a moving Langmuir probe array"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Cloutier, Paul A."],"dc:creator":["Olsen, Christopher Scott"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2011-07-25T01:37:48Z"],"dc:date.available":["2011-07-25T01:37:48Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2009"],"dc:description.abstract":["This research paper describes the design, setup, and application of a moving multi-Langmuir probe array that measured and mapped ion flux and plasma source efficiency in a flowing plasma with large (∼1.5 T) external magnetic fields in the VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) VX-100 experiment. The probe array was swung through an argon plasma revealing a detailed 2-dimensional cross section. Neutral input flow and probe collector bias voltage were scanned from pulse to pulse in an effort to find optimal settings. Secondary electron emission was found to be an important factor that artificially enhanced the measured flux at large negative bias voltages. The most accurate bias voltages were found to be around -20 volts where the flux enhancing effects were minimized. Variations of this probe will be used in more advanced plasma rocket study."],"dc:format.mimetype":["application/pdf"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/1911/61772"],"dc:language.iso":["eng"],"dc:rights":["Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder."],"dc:subject":["Aerospace engineering","Plasma physics"],"dc:title":["Ion flux maps and helicon source efficiency in the VASIMR VX-100 experiment using a moving Langmuir probe array"],"dc:type":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Natural Sciences"],"thesis:degree_level":["Masters"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science"],"thesis:institution_name":["Rice University"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:10:30Z"}