Discharge reliability in ablative pulsed plasma thrusters

Wu, Zhiwen; Sun, Guorui; Yuan, Shiyue; Huang, Tiankun; Li, Xiangyang; Xie, Kan; Wang, Ningfei

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.04.006

Cited by 25 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…For example, computational modeling of atmospheric pressure plasma jets has shown the importance of γ ph in influencing the speed of ionization wave propagation [3]. SEE is also critical in the performance of some plasma thrusters [4,5]. Using electrodes with high secondary electron yields in plasma reactors has also been shown to improve the efficiency of volatile organic compound destruction [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-fidelity modeling of breakdown in helium: initiation processes and secondary electron emission

Lietz

Barnat

Nail

et al. 2021

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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Understanding the role of physical processes contributing to breakdown is critical for many applications in which breakdown is undesirable, such as capacitors, and applications in which controlled breakdown is intended, such as plasma medicine, lightning protection, and materials processing. The electron emission from the cathode is a critical source of electrons which then undergo impact ionization to produce electrical breakdown. In this study, the role of secondary electron yields due to photons (γ ph) and ions (γ i) in direct current breakdown is investigated using a particle-in-cell direct simulation Monte Carlo model. The plasma studied is a one-dimensional discharge in 50 Torr of pure helium with a platinum cathode, gap size of 1.15 cm, and voltages of 1.2–1.8 kV. The current traces are compared with experimental measurements. Larger values of γ ph generally result in a faster breakdown, while larger values of γ i result in a larger maximum current. The 58.4 nm photons emitted from He(21P) are the primary source of electrons at the cathode before the cathode fall is developed. Of the values of γ ph and γ i investigated, those which provide the best agreement with the experimental current measurements are γ ph = 0.005 and γ i = 0.01. These values are significantly lower than those in the literature for pristine platinum or for a graphitic carbon film which we speculate may cover the platinum. This difference is in part due to the limitations of a one-dimensional model but may also indicate surface conditions and exposure to a plasma can have a significant effect on the secondary electron yields. The effects of applied voltage and the current produced by a UV diode which was used to initiate the discharge, are also discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-fidelity modeling of breakdown in helium: initiation processes and secondary electron emission

Lietz

Barnat

Nail

et al. 2021

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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“…Recently, an increasing number of satellites have adopted EPTs for spacecraft orientation and propulsion [3,4]. As a member of EPTs, the ablative pulsed plasma thruster (APPT) is considered as an attractive propulsion option for satellites with limited mass and power because of its low power requirements, simple design, robustness, and high specific impulse (∼1000 s) [5][6][7]. However, the drawback of low efficiency significantly limits its application [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental investigation on the plasma morphology of ablative pulsed plasma thruster with tongue-shaped and flared electrodes

Zhang

et al. 2020

Plasma Sci. Technol.

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Ablative pulsed plasma thrusters (APPTs) are considered as an attractive propulsion option for station-keeping and drag makeup purposes for mass-and power-limited satellites. In order to understand the physical mechanism of APPTs, high-speed camera and optical emission spectroscopy are utilized to investigate the plasma characteristics including the spatial distribution and composition between the electrodes. The plume images and spectra at different times and positions are experimentally recorded, and the spatial distribution, composition, and trajectory of plasmas can be concluded through analyzing them. With the increase of the distance from the ablation surface, two clusters of plasmas near the anode and cathode meet downstream, and the species and density of plasmas tend to be uniform.

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“…Different ablation models have been established for capillary discharge, and the perfor mance of PE and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials calculated, so obtaining the quantitative relationships among the ablation rate and plasma temperature and density. The ablation process is investigated in pulsed plasma thrusters [3,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], in which the discharge condition is similar.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An electrothermal plasma model considering polyethylene and copper ablation based on ignition experiment

Zhang¹,

Li²,

Yang³

2018

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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In order to study the characteristics of electrothermal plasma interaction with energetic materials, especially the ignition ability, a novel model considering polyethylene and copper ablation is developed, and an ignition experiment system is set up. The parameters of the plasma and the surface conditions of the energetic materials are measured in the testing. The results show the measured first peak pressure to be ~2.2 MPa, the second peak pressure to be ~3.9 MPa, and the visible flame velocity to be ~2000 m s −1 . Circular pits of the order of microns and nanometers in size are observed on the surface of the energetic materials. Further, the parameters of the plasma, including static pressure, total pressure, density, temperature, velocity, copper concentration and PE concentration, are calculated and analyzed by the established model, under discharge currents of 9 kA. The simulation is similar to those of experimental results. A shock wave is observed in the experiment and is presented in the calculations; it plays an important role in the performance of the plasma in the nozzle region, where the parameters of the plasma variation trends are very complex. With the aim of obtaining the overall performance of the plasma, the coupling characteristics of multiple parameters must be taken into account, in accordance with the developed electrothermal plasma model.

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Discharge reliability in ablative pulsed plasma thrusters

Cited by 25 publications

References 14 publications

High-fidelity modeling of breakdown in helium: initiation processes and secondary electron emission

High-fidelity modeling of breakdown in helium: initiation processes and secondary electron emission

Experimental investigation on the plasma morphology of ablative pulsed plasma thruster with tongue-shaped and flared electrodes

An electrothermal plasma model considering polyethylene and copper ablation based on ignition experiment

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