Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometer (MBMS): Examines ion energy properties and species identification

The Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometer (MBMS) is used to examine the ion energy properties of the plasma.  It is essentially two instruments in one.  The first instrument is a 45-degree energy analyzer.  This will give an energy-to-charge distribution as a function of plate potential difference.  In order to examine the difference between states in the plasma, the MBMS uses a TOF.  Using the TOF together with the Parallel-Plate Energy Analyzer allows the different ion states to be examined.

1.      King, L. B., and Gallimore, A. D., "Ion-Energy Diagnostics in the Plasma Exhaust of a Hall Thruster," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 16, No. 5, September-October, 2000.

2.      King, L. B., and Gallimore, A. D., "Mass Spectral Measurements in the Plume of an SPT-100 Hall Thruster," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 16, No. 6, November-December, 2000.

3.      King, L. B., "Transport-property and Mass Spectral Measurements in the Plasma Exhaust Plume of a Hall-effect Space Propulsion System," Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Michigan, 1998.

4.      Gulczinski, F. S., "Examination of the Structure and Evolution of Ion Energy Properties of a 5 kW Class Laboratory Hall Effect Thruster at Various Operational Conditions," Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Michigan, 1999.