Spectral characterization of the Hall Effect thruster operation on argon propellant

We continue non-invasive characterization of the BHT-200 Hall Effect Thruster performance. First, vacuum EUV spectra of the HET's operation on Ar propellant are collected and the emission lines of plasma species including natural impurities are identified. Next, FUV-MUV spectrum is examined for notorious boron nitride lining erosion products as a function of the discharge parameters. Finally, the upgraded high-resolution NUV-NIR system [1] is used to measure the axial velocity of Ar ions along the plasma plume. New results are compared to the old data [2,3] of the thruster operating on Xe and Kr propellants.