IR and FIR Laser Diagnostics for Plasma Thrusters Using a CW CO2 Radiation Source

Download or read book IR and FIR Laser Diagnostics for Plasma Thrusters Using a CW CO2 Radiation Source written by Thomas M. York and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The accomplishments during this contract period have been related to the development of a multi-beam interferometer system, which would utilize a CO2 laser system for high sensitivity, to eventually be used to diagnose plasma in the electromagnetic expansion region of a plasma thruster. Since the application of interest is a 1/4 Scale MPD experiment, funded by NASA, where plasma is poorly known, the CO2 laser interferometer will first be tested with a single beam on a DC discharge experiment whose plasma characteristics are well known. That experiment has been assembled and tested. The CO2 laser system has been tested and found to be satisfactory. Keywords: Carbon dioxide lasers, Plasma Diagnostics, Plasma thrusters. (jhd).