Diagnostics and performance of a low-power MPD thruster with appliedmagnetic nozzle

York, Thomas M.; Zakrzwski, Charles; Soulas, George C.

doi:10.2514/3.23658

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Coaxial plasma accelerators ('Marshall guns') [14] are widely used to drive high-velocity and high-mass plasma flows [15] in order to control density [16] and velocity profiles in plasmas for purposes such as refuelling magnetic-confinement fusion plasmas [17,18] and space propulsion [19][20][21]. There has also been an interest in the evolution of the magnetic fields associated with coaxial plasma guns [22,23].…”

Section: Coaxial Plasma Gunsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-field plasma injection into mirror geometry

Uzun-Kaymak¹,

Messer²,

Bomgardner³

et al. 2009

Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion

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The Maryland Centrifugal Experiment (MCX) and HyperV Technologies Corp. are collaborating on a series of experiments to test the use of a plasma gun to inject mass and momentum into a magnetic-confinement device. HyperV has designed, built and installed a prototype coaxial gun to drive rotation in MCX. The gun has been designed to avoid the blow-by instability via a combination of electrode shaping and a tailored plasma armature. Preliminary measurements at HyperV indicate the gun generates plasma jets with a mass of 160 µg, velocities up to 90 km s −1 and plasma density in the high 10 14 cm −3 . This paper emphasizes characteristics of the plasma gun and penetration of the plasma jet through the MCX magnetic field. Plans for future injection experiments are briefly discussed.

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Section: Coaxial Plasma Gunsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-field plasma injection into mirror geometry

Uzun-Kaymak¹,

Messer²,

Bomgardner³

et al. 2009

Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion

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“…HyperV Technologies Corp. is developing these contoured gap coaxial plasma accelerators as a driver for magnetoinertial fusion ͑MIF͒ as well as for potential applications in refueling, 5 disruption mitigation, spacecraft propulsion, [6][7][8] momentum injection, 9 and materials processing. The plasma gun used to produce the plasmoids discussed here is a onehalf scale prototype of an accelerator ultimately designed as a driver for MIF experiments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interferometer density measurements of a high-velocity plasmoid

et al. 2010

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The plasmoid produced by a half-scale contoured gap coaxial plasma accelerator using ablative polyethylene capillary plasma injectors is measured using a quadrature heterodyne HeNe interferometer. The plasmoid is found to have a sharp rise in density at the leading edge, with a gradual falloff after the peak density. For this early test series, an average bulk density of 5 ϫ 10 14 cm −3 is observed, with densities up to 8 ϫ 10 14 cm −3 seen on some shots. Although plasmoid mass is only about 58 g due to the low current and injected mass used in these tests, good shot-to-shot repeatability is attained making analysis relatively straightforward, thus providing a solid foundation for interpreting future experimental results.

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“…2 These devices are in development for control of density 3 and velocity profiles, for refueling magneticconfinement fusion experiments, 4 for space propulsion, [5][6][7] and for studies of magnetic fields, 8 turbulence, and instabilities 9 in plasmas. One of the limitations of coaxial plasma guns is the development of the blow-by instability.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fast pressure probe measurements of a high-velocity plasma plume

et al. 2009

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This article reports measurements of stagnation pressure on a contoured coaxial gun, now installed at the Maryland Centrifugal Experiment [R. Ellis et al., Phys. Plasmas 12, 055704 (2005)]. The impact of the plasma on the stationary probe is consistent with adiabatic compression and supersonic flow. Measured pressure signals are consistent with a shock traveling at 110 km/s and a following flow with speed of 90 km/s. At late times, the pressure profile is consistent with an adiabatically expanding plasma that fills the vacuum chamber.

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Diagnostics and performance of a low-power MPD thruster with appliedmagnetic nozzle

Cited by 12 publications

References 9 publications

Cross-field plasma injection into mirror geometry

Cross-field plasma injection into mirror geometry

Interferometer density measurements of a high-velocity plasmoid

Fast pressure probe measurements of a high-velocity plasma plume

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