In order to achieve a better understanding of plume characteristics of LIPS-300 ion thruster, the beam current density, ion energy and electron number density of LIPS-300 ion thruster plume are studied with an Advanced Plasma Diagnostics System (APDS) which allows for simultaneous in situ measurements of various properties characterizing ion thruster, such as plasma density, plasma potential, plasma temperature and ion beam current densities, ion energy distribution and so on. The results show that the beam current density distribution has a double ‘wing’ shape. The high energy ions were found in small scan angle, while low energy ions were found in greater scan angle. Electron number density has a similar shape with the beam current density distribution.

中文翻译：

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带有先进的等离子体诊断系统的30 cm离子推进器的羽流诊断

为了更好地了解LIPS-300离子推进器羽流的特征，使用先进的等离子体诊断系统（APDS）对LIPS-300离子推进器羽流的束流密度，离子能量和电子数密度进行了研究。现场测量表征离子推进器的各种特性，例如等离子体密度，等离子体电势，等离子体温度和离子束电流密度，离子能量分布等。结果表明，束电流密度分布具有双“翼”形。在较小的扫描角处发现高能离子，而在较大的扫描角处发现低能离子。电子数密度具有与束电流密度分布相似的形状。