MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF THE PLASMA ION COST IN THE DISCHARGE OF THE XENON ION THRUSTER

Plasma ion energy cost is the one of the important parameters.It will affect the performance of ion thrusters.The basis factors were analyzed,which affect plasma ion energy cost from theory.In addition,the plasma ion energy cost has been measured at the different conditions.The experimental results are in good agreement with the theory analogy.The optimal plasma ion energy cost region of ion thrusters has been presented.