Device for measuring variations in the thrust of a plasma acceleration with closed electron drift

A device for measuring variations in the thrust of a plasma accelerator with closed electron drift comprising a main annular channel (24) for ionization and acceleration, at least one hollow cathode (40) disposed outside the main channel and downstream therefrom, an anode (25), ionizable gas feed means (41, 26) associated respectively with the hollow cathode (40) and with the anode (25), and magnetic field creation means (31 to 33), the device being characterized in that it comprises a plurality of magnetic flux sensors (101 to 104;

• 31 to 33) disposed around the acceleration channel (24), a plurality of amplifiers (111 to 114) whose inputs receive the respective signals delivered by the magnetic flux sensors (101 to 104;
• 31 to 33), and a summing circuit (115) whose inputs are connected to the outputs of said amplifiers (111 to 114).