Analytical Discharge Model for RF Ion Thrusters

Goebel, Dan M.

doi:10.1109/tps.2008.2004232

Cited by 40 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This is regarded as crucial since most numerical models of RF ion thrusters use 2D rotational symmetric methods-or even 1D and 0D methods-which cannot predict the axially induced field components caused by the pitch of the coil. [13][14][15][16] ..The discrete form of the Laplacian operator in Cartesian coordinates can be derived by a Taylor expansion and subsequent dropping of the discretization error, as shown in 17):…”

Section: )mentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Consistent Numerical 0D/3D Hybrid Modeling of Radio-Frequency Ion Thrusters

Volkmar¹,

Ricklefs²,

Klar

2016

AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY JAPAN

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this paper, we show a numerical model of gridded radio-frequency (RF) ion thrusters. The model consists of a set of self-consistently coupled equations based on conservation of charge, energy, and mass inside the system. Those 0D models are again coupled to a 3D quasi-stationary electromagnetic field solver which offers the opportunity of evaluating arbitrary induction coil and discharge chamber geometries in fairly reasonable simulation time. Several input parameter sets can be computed in parallel due to multi-core implementation. Therefore, the model presented can be regarded as a toolbox for ion thruster engineering purposes and rapid virtual prototyping. The model predicts electrical parameters such as thruster and plasma impedance as well as propulsive performance data. It is thus possible to use it for finding optimized coil and chamber geometries together with optimized input parameters (coil current, volumetric propellant flow rate, and extraction grid voltages) in order to obtain improved mass and electrical efficiency. To prove the validity of the model, performance mappings experimentally performed on a RIM-4 RF ion thruster assembled at the University of Giessen are used to verify the computed data.

show abstract

Section: )mentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Consistent Numerical 0D/3D Hybrid Modeling of Radio-Frequency Ion Thrusters

Volkmar¹,

Ricklefs²,

Klar

2016

AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY JAPAN

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, conventional electric thrusters, e.g., gridded ion thruster, 1 Hall thruster, 2 and Magneto-Plasma-Dynamics (MPD) thruster, 3 have electrodes, which contact with plasma directly, and this interaction makes an operating time limited and a long space exploration difficult because of the erosion of the electrodes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrodeless plasma acceleration system using rotating magnetic field method

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

COLLECTIONS This paper was selected as Featured ARTICLES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED INStudy on electromagnetic plasma propulsion using rotating magnetic field acceleration scheme Physics of Plasmas 24, 043505 (2017) We have proposed Rotating Magnetic Field (RMF) acceleration method as one of electrodeless plasma accelerations. In our experimental scheme, plasma generated by an rf (radio frequency) antenna, is accelerated by RMF antennas, which consist of two-pair, opposed, facing coils, and these antennas are outside of a discharge tube. Therefore, there is no wear of electrodes, degrading the propulsion performance. Here, we will introduce our RMF acceleration system developed, including the experimental device, e.g., external antennas, a tapered quartz tube, a vacuum chamber, external magnets, and a pumping system. In addition, we can change RMF operation parameters (RMF applied current I RMF and RMF current phase difference φ, focusing on RMF current frequency f RMF ) by adjusting matching conditions of RMF, and investigate the dependencies on plasma parameters (electron density n e and ion velocity v i ); e.g., higher increases of n e and v i (∼360 % and 55 %, respectively) than previous experimental results were obtained by decreasing f RMF from 5 MHz to 0.7 MHz, whose RMF penetration condition was better according to Milroy's expression. Moreover, time-varying component of RMF has been measured directly to survey the penetration condition experimentally. © 2017 Author (s)

show abstract

“…Radiofrequency plasmas are widely used in the microelectronics industry [1,2] and in many other applications, ranging from space propulsion [3,4] through to medical applications [5][6][7]. In many instances, the most important phenomena take place in the radiofrequency sheaths, and it is therefore essential to model this boundary region appropriately.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%