Three-dimensional Modeling of Magnetic Nozzle Processes

Lorzel, Heath; Mikellides, Pavlos G.

doi:10.2514/6.2007-5615

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…6. Therefore, we anticipate that momentum is transferred by the azimuthal current density created by the pressure gradient within the diffusive layer [12], [49]. The fact that the diffusive layer transfers momentum does not imply that the advective core of the plasma does not produce thrust.…”

Section: Plasma Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Critical Condition for Plasma Confinement in the Source of a Magnetic Nozzle Flow

Little

Choueiri

2015

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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The existence of a theoretically predicted critical magnetic field strength for efficient plasma confinement in helicon plasma thrusters is verified experimentally in the source of a magnetic nozzle (MN) flow. Control of the plasma confinement is crucial for enhancing the mass utilization efficiency of electric propulsion systems that employ MNs. Langmuir probe measurements of the density at the MN throat of a helicon plasma thruster as a function of the applied magnetic field strength indicate a transition from a low-confinement operation mode, in which a majority of the plasma diffuses to the solid walls of the plasma source before emerging from the thruster, to a highconfinement operation mode, in which the plasma preferentially exhausts downstream through the MN. This transition is shown to be governed by the anisotropic Péclet number, Pe an , which is defined as the ratio of the advective (field aligned) to diffusive (cross field) mass transport rates. Experimental estimations of the mass utilization efficiency of the plasma source for various magnetic field strengths and plasma source lengths are shown to support an analytically derived scaling law, and suggest Pe an 1 as a design criterion for MN plasma sources.Index Terms-Cross-field diffusion, helicon plasma, magnetic nozzle (MN), radio-frequency (RF) plasma.

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Section: Plasma Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Critical Condition for Plasma Confinement in the Source of a Magnetic Nozzle Flow

Little

Choueiri

2015

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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“…Beyond amenable semi-analytical kinetic and fluid models, 2D and 3D heavy-computing simulations are needed if most of the MN physics discussed in this section want to be treated consistently at the same time. Fluid [421], hybrid (kinetic/fluid) or fully kinetic formulations, as the ones discussed in other sections of this paper, are needed tackle with these advanced problems. These simulations operate by necessity a finite domain.…”

Section: Advances In Science and Technology To Meet Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physics of E × B discharges relevant to plasma propulsion and similar technologies

et al. 2020

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This paper provides perspectives on recent progress in the understanding of the physics of devices where the external magnetic field is applied perpendicularly to the discharge current. This configuration generates a strong electric field, which acts to accelerates ions. The many applications of this set up include generation of thrust for spacecraft propulsion and the separation of species in plasma mass separation devices. These "E×B" plasmas are subject to plasma-wall interaction effects as well as various micro and macro instabilities, and in many devices, we observe the emergence of anomalous transport. This perspective presents the current understanding of the physics of these phenomena, state-of-the-art computational results, identifies critical questions, and suggests directions for future research.

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“…In fact, as we shall see in Chapter 3, the ambipolar electric field results from the imbalance of these two terms, to first order. Other MHD numerical simulations, using the MACH2/3 code, were carried out by Mikellides et al, 118,165,166 who also miss these terms.…”

Section: Literature Review: Models and Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Magnetic Nozzles For Space Plasma Thrusters = Análisis de Toberas Magnéticas para Motores Espaciales de Plasma

Martínez¹

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This Thesis presents a theoretical analysis of the operation of magnetic nozzles for plasma space propulsion. The study is based on a two-dimensional, two-fluid model of the supersonic expansion of a hot plasma in a divergent magnetic field. The basic model is extended progressively to include the dominant electron convective terms, the plasma-induced magnetic field, multi-temperature electron populations, and the capability to integrate the plasma flow in the far expansion region. The hyperbolic plasma response is integrated accurately and efficiently with the method of the characteristic lines.Special acknowledgments go to the rest of members of the EP2 (Equipo de Propulsión Espacial por Plasmas) research group at UPM, in particular to my colleague and collaborator Jaume Navarro, with whom I have shared many moments (and coffees). My thanks to all the members of the department, specially Robert Santos, for their friendly support and reassuring presence all along the way. I shall v vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS not forget my friends from the Physics department, Hodei, Claudio, Gonzalo, Sandra, Antonio, Bayajid, Arnaud, Xin, Juancho, and the rest of my friends at the ETSI Aeronáuticos and elsewhere: you have always managed to make me smile and blow away some stress, and I have always valued the richness in viewpoints of our 'international' group (there are 5 nationalities alone in the people I have named). Laura, Carol, Manu, Pepe, Vero: I am lucky to have met you all and count you among my friends.Marijke Frank deserves a full paragraph just for herself. You have brought life and light to my world, and I could not have probably made this climb without you. You are all sweetness and energy and music. Thank you for the moments we share, and for your support and understanding during my Thesis-journey. Also, thank you for applying your near-native English to correct the introductory Chapters of this text.I want to thank Prof. Manuel Martínez-Sánchez at MIT for the interest he has shown in this Thesis, and for all his intelligent comments on the role of the plasma-induced magnetic field: I value much our discussions, which I hope we will continue to share after this Thesis.I am indebted to Prof. Georg Herdrich, Adam Boxberger and Tomeu Massuti at IRS Stuttgart, Germany, for inviting me to visit their institute for three months and participate in their work. It has been a great learning experience for me. Also, I would like to thank Käthe Dannenmayer and Stéphane Mazouffre at ICARE-CNRS, Orléans, France, for accepting to initiate a comparison of self-similar plasma plume models with their experimental data on two Hall-effect thrusters. Likewise, I deeply appreciate the work done with Claudio Bombardelli, Hodei Urrutxua, and Jesús Peláez, at UPM, and Dejan Petkow and Leopold Summerer, at ESTEC, ESA, regarding the study of the Ion Beam Satellite.Lastly, my thanks go to the members of the Committee for agreeing to review and evaluate my work, and to María García at ETSI Aeronáuticos, who has muddled through the cumbersome bureaucra...

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Three-dimensional Modeling of Magnetic Nozzle Processes

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

Critical Condition for Plasma Confinement in the Source of a Magnetic Nozzle Flow

Critical Condition for Plasma Confinement in the Source of a Magnetic Nozzle Flow

Physics of E × B discharges relevant to plasma propulsion and similar technologies

Analysis of Magnetic Nozzles For Space Plasma Thrusters = Análisis de Toberas Magnéticas para Motores Espaciales de Plasma

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