Effect of Discharge Pulse Delays on Characteristics of a Short-pulse Laser-assisted Pulsed Plasma Thruster

Kamezaki, H.; Yano, Kaede; Kato, H.; Horisawa, Hideyuki

doi:10.2514/6.2018-4590

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Through an accurate trigger, we can obtain the PPT's initial discharge time and the period of shockwave formation. For all PPTs, there is an inherent delay between the spark plug firing and the onset of the discharge [32,33]. We used the spark plug signal as the initial trigger for the oscilloscope and the signal generator, as shown in figure 8.…”

Section: High-speed Imaging Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transient buildup and dissipation of a compressed plasma shockwave in arc-discharge plasma beams

Zhang¹,

Fu²,

Zhang³

et al. 2021

Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.

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Electric propulsion offers the advantage of a high specific impulse through a large exhaust velocity and has seen significant progress in space flight applications. Recently, we observed a transient plasma shockwave during pulsed plasma thruster operation when the plasma beam impacted a probe surface. However, details regarding the plasma shockwave formation are still unknown. This work is an experimental investigation of the compression-induced plasma shockwave in the presence of a planar obstruction. To study the complete shockwave buildup and dissipation process, an ultra-high-speed imaging system was set up to visualize the time-resolved shockwave morphology at a sub-microsecond level. In addition, the local magnetic field and plasma density were measured using 2-D magnetic coils and a triple Langmuir probe, respectively. The successive images of the shockwave give us a comprehensive understanding of the shockwave buildup process. During the 12 μs operational period of the thruster, two shockwaves were formed during the first cycle of the discharge. It is also interesting to note that there is a 1 μs dissipation period between the two shockwaves with the same cloud of plasma compressing against the probe surface. A shockwave model is also developed to predict the appearance of the two shockwaves. The implication is that the local magnetic field strength can be a key indicator for the plasma shockwave buildup and dissipation process.

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Section: High-speed Imaging Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transient buildup and dissipation of a compressed plasma shockwave in arc-discharge plasma beams

Zhang¹,

Fu²,

Zhang³

et al. 2021

Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.

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show abstract

“…A photo of the high-speed image system is shown in figure 2. For all APPTs, there is an inherent delay between the spark plug firing and the onset of the discharge [29,30]. The spark plug was used as the trigger to input a signal into the signal generator.…”

Section: Ultra-high-speed Camera and Optical Filtersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The plasma morphology of an asymmetric electrode ablative pulsed plasma thruster

Zhang¹,

Ling²,

Ren³

et al. 2019

Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.

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The ablative pulsed plasma thruster (APPT) is a typical form of electric propulsion that is highly suitable for micro-satellites. However, its low performance has been a main drawback. Recently, an asymmetric segmented anode schematic was shown to enhance the performance of APPTs. The improved thrust performance obtained with the use of a segmented anode can potentially enable promising applications in future space tasks. To further understand the physical processes behind a segmented anode APPT, experiments using an ultra-high-speed camera, narrow bandpass filters, and a magnetic probe were conducted with both normal parallel-plate electrodes and a segmented anode on an experimental APPT. Successive images of light emission from C + , neutral C 2 , and broadband emission reveal the evolution of the plasma morphology on an APPT with a segmented anode. The magnetic field strength profiles show that the inter-electrode plasma propagation velocity of a segmented anode APPT is approximately 19 km s −1 , which is slightly lower than that of a normal APPT at 23 km s −1. However, the similar order of magnitude suggests a similar downstream acceleration mechanism between the two. The arc morphology observed in the high-speed images shows that the segmented anode APPT with asymmetric electrodes has a restricted arc attachment point, possibly resulting in stronger arc current density at the anode corner. This should result in higher ionization and ablation when compared with a normal anode APPT. Based on the results here, we hypothesize that the segmented anode APPT may be able to better utilize the restrike energy in the propellant ionization process. This fundamentally changes the physical process behind APPT operation, meaning that the improvements should also be applicable to other APPT designs. It can also be adopted as an additional step in the overall optimization of an APPT design.

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Effects of carbon, graphite, and graphene as propellant dopants in a laser-electric hybrid acceleration system

Zhang

2022

Optics & Laser Technology

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Effect of Discharge Pulse Delays on Characteristics of a Short-pulse Laser-assisted Pulsed Plasma Thruster

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

Transient buildup and dissipation of a compressed plasma shockwave in arc-discharge plasma beams

Transient buildup and dissipation of a compressed plasma shockwave in arc-discharge plasma beams

The plasma morphology of an asymmetric electrode ablative pulsed plasma thruster

Effects of carbon, graphite, and graphene as propellant dopants in a laser-electric hybrid acceleration system

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