Innovative High Power Hall Thruster Configuration Using Novel Rotating Magnetic Fields

Starfire Industries has identified a novel Hall thruster configuration with significant potential for higher thrust-to-power ratio, thrust-to-mass ratio and intrinsic efficiency compared to the current state-of-the-art. In this Phase I SBIR exploratory development, Starfire Industries will build and test a proof-of-principle next-generation Hall thruster configuration employing rotating magnetic fields. Direct measurement of plasma potential, temperature, and density distribution will be accomplished with a fast double probe. Circuit parameters will be analyzed for power conversion efficiency. Concept evaluation and recommendations will be made for a Phase II prototype thruster.