Thrust measurements of a ferroelectric plasma source [abstract]

Abstract

Ferroelectric thrusters can be used in applications where small thrusts are useful such as guiding the movement of satellites. The Pulsed Power and Plasma Science group in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at MU is characterizing a ferroelectric thruster in order to determine its range of maximum thrust. The thrust is measured using a Michelson interferometer and is in the order of 100µN. Both applied frequency and voltage directly affect the amount of thrust generated, and these variables will be varied to create a thrust operation curve. The thrust measurement technique and the resulting thrust curve is presented.