BIFEP BEAM INDUCED FLUORESCENCE DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE FOR EP THRUSTERS

2017 | UK Space Agency

BIFEP is a non-invasive diagnostic device for ion thrusters for EP ground based test facilities.

The Beam Induced Fluorescence (BIF) method, commonly used in particle accelerators, was assessed for its applicability to non-invasive diagnostics for Electric Propulsion (EP). Under this pretext the concept was proved feasible by the BIFEP project thanks to a joint collaboration with Surrey Space Centre and the support of the UK Space Agency.

BIFEP has improved understanding of the need to provide diagnostic verification across specific ranges of ion energy, ion beam current density or beam divergence; each of which varies according to thruster type. In addition, preliminary designs have been developed for a tool that can be installed at ground-based facilities to enable rapid acquisition of thruster plume profiles during test phases. The system will be able to identify early signs of problems such as erosion or sputtering on Gridded Ion Engines, therefore offering the potential to reduce costs significantly during test campaigns.

Funded by: UK Space Agency