Arvindh Sharma's PhD General Exam
Arvindh Sharma's General Exam
Spectroscopic Diagnostics of Low-Temperature Plasma Dynamics using a Krypton Collisional-Radiative Model, Committee
Justin Little (Chair), Uri Shumlak, Bhuvana Srinivasan, Amir Taghvaei, Alan Kaptanoglu, Stefania Fresca
Abstract
Spectroscopy is a powerful technique to diagnose the properties of low-temperature plasmas, particularly the electron temperature and the electron density. The difficulty with plasma spectroscopy lies in identifying the right spectral lines to observe and identifying a suitable model that infers plasma parameters from the spectral line information. Collisional-radiative (CR) models are most suitable for plasma spectroscopy in electric propulsion (EP) applications. This work describes the development of a methodology to identify optimal sets of krypton emission lines for spectroscopy based on a CR model. The quasi-steady-state assumptions used in solving many CR models are discussed in the context of EP plasmas. Techniques are proposed to implement…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Guggenheim Hall (GUG). Online Meeting Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/95193955559?pwd=D4EJUeSJGZPvxEib9WQiAYhXZaP01L.1. Campus room: 211D. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Monday, November 24, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Native American Heritage Day Holiday
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, November 28, 2025.
Landon Bevier's PhD General Exam
Landon Bevier's General Exam
Nonlinear Dynamics in N2O/Ar Helicon Plasmas, Committee
Justin Little (Chair), Uri Shumlak, Bhuvana Srinivasan, Sarah Tuttle, Marco Salviato
Abstract
This work is focused on studying the impact of molecular gasses in a low-field helicon plasma discharge. Experimental investigation of the low-field helicon reveals an abrupt mode transition associated with nonlinearities in energy absorption. Diagnostics for measuring concentrations of molecular gasses in the plasma are developed and characterized. An experimental investigation into the impact of non-equilibrium plasma-chemistry is proposed. This work will helps establish methods for testing molecular propellants in the field of plasma electric propulsion.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Guggenheim Hall (GUG). Online Meeting Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/97678906023. Campus room: 305. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Monday, December 1, 2025, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
A&A Professional Programs Info Session
Register for one of our upcoming information sessions to explore if our professional graduate programs align with your career goals and aspirations. You will receive the zoom link after you register.
We will cover the Master of Aerospace Engineering program and our three Graduate Certificates. The professional master's and certificate programs teach skills to apply cutting-edge research and technology in industry, with no research or thesis required.
Application deadline for Autumn 2026 admission is April 1, 2026.
If you have questions, please contact advising team at aeropro@uw.edu.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Monday, December 1, 2025, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
For more info visit engrwashington.event451.sites.451.io. Peter Thoreau's PhD Dissertation Defense
Peter Thoreau's PhD Dissertation Defense
Advanced Techniques for Hall Thruster Research and Development, Committee
Justin Little (Chair), Michael Holmes, Uri Shumlak, Michael McCarthy, Adam Bruckner, Brian Nelson
Abstract
Hall thrusters are the most common form of electric propulsion on spacecraft currently in Earth orbit, they offer excellent efficiency, high thrust to power, and have relatively simple power processing units. They have seen significant development since their first commercial flight in 1972, however, methods for characterizing their operation for both development and flight have remained relatively consistent. Therefore, advanced techniques have been developed to more effectively, efficiently, and expeditiously characterize thruster operation. These methods have been advanced through four primary approaches.
The first approach was the development of a magnetically shielded Hall thruster with a movable inner pole to investigate the influence of magnetic field shape on thruster operation.…
Event interval: Single day event. Online Meeting Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/94075658158. Campus room: IEB 315. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Connie Phung's MS Thesis Defense
Connie Phung's MS Thesis Defense
Method for an In-situ Diagnostic for Inner Pole Erosion of a Magnetically Shielded Hall Thruster
Committee
Justin Little (Chair), Bhuvana Srinivasan
Abstract
Erosion in Hall-effect thrusters poses a critical challenge to propulsion efficiency and mission longevity. Recent research has identified erosion at the inner pole as the primary driver for mission length limitations. This study investigates sensor integration and resistance-based measurement techniques to quantify erosion at the inner pole. An unwired sensor was exposed to 600W (300V, 2A) plasma conditions for two hours, resulting in 3 μm of erosion, calculated from manual resistance measurements. A fully integrated in-situ sensor was exposed to 220W (90V, 2.5A) conditions for one hour and experienced 3-5 μm of erosion, which was calculated from remote measurement data. Sputter yield modeling and experimental erosion rates aligned well with existing literature, while erosion rate modeling underpredicted actual erosion…
Event interval: Single day event. Online Meeting Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/98045494519. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
A&A Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Guggenheim Hall (GUG). Campus room: 211D. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Meetings.
Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Autumn Quarter Exams
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Friday, December 12, 2025.
Winter Break begins
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Christmas Day Holiday
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Thursday, December 25, 2025.
New Year's Day Holiday
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Winter Quarter begins
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Monday, January 5, 2026.
A&A Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Guggenheim Hall (GUG). Campus room: 211D. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Meetings.
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
A&A Professional Programs Info Session
Register for one of our upcoming information sessions to explore if our professional graduate programs align with your career goals and aspirations. You will receive the zoom link after you register.
We will cover the Master of Aerospace Engineering program and our three Graduate Certificates. The professional master's and certificate programs teach skills to apply cutting-edge research and technology in industry, with no research or thesis required.
Application deadline for Autumn 2026 admission is April 1, 2026.
If you have questions, please contact advising team at aeropro@uw.edu.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Monday, January 12, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit engrwashington.event451.sites.451.io. Martin Luther King Day Holiday
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Monday, January 19, 2026.
A&A Professional Programs Info Session
Register for one of our upcoming information sessions to explore if our professional graduate programs align with your career goals and aspirations. You will receive the zoom link after you register.
We will cover the Master of Aerospace Engineering program and our three Graduate Certificates. The professional master's and certificate programs teach skills to apply cutting-edge research and technology in industry, with no research or thesis required.
Application deadline for Autumn 2026 admission is April 1, 2026.
If you have questions, please contact advising team at aeropro@uw.edu.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Monday, January 26, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit engrwashington.event451.sites.451.io. A&A Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Guggenheim Hall (GUG). Campus room: 211D. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Meetings.
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
A&A Professional Programs Info Session
Register for one of our upcoming information sessions to explore if our professional graduate programs align with your career goals and aspirations. You will receive the zoom link after you register.
We will cover the Master of Aerospace Engineering program and our three Graduate Certificates. The professional master's and certificate programs teach skills to apply cutting-edge research and technology in industry, with no research or thesis required.
Application deadline for Autumn 2026 admission is April 1, 2026.
If you have questions, please contact advising team at aeropro@uw.edu.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Monday, February 9, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit engrwashington.event451.sites.451.io. Presidents' Day Holiday
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: aafrontdesk@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Monday, February 16, 2026.