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Controlled Positioning of a B-Dot Probe in Vacuum Tests of a Plasma Thruster

Abstract

This work details the design, verification, and preliminary testing of a three-axis probe positioner for use in the EPPDyL lab in Princeton University. The positioner is designed for use in vacuum experiments of a plasma thruster and is demonstrated to have accuracy on the order of 0.5 mm through preliminary, if also flawed, data. The positioner is at the stage of experimental validation, tweaking, and calibration, along with the completion of the software and verification of the position sensing, before being able to install the device in the vacuum chamber for experimental use.