Electromagnetic ion cyclotron resonance heating in the VASIMR

Bering, Edgar A.; Chang‐Diaz, Franklin; Squire, Jared P.; Brukardt, Michael; Glover, T. W.; Bengtson, Roger D.; Jacobson, V. T.; McCaskill, Greg; Cassady, Leonard D.

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2007.09.034

Cited by 28 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Compared with capacitive and inductive plasma sources operating at similar RF powers, helicon sources yield higher plasma densities, for example, n ∼ 1 × 10 19 m −3 for a 1 kW helicon source using argon versus ∼1 × 10 16 m −3 and ∼1 × 10 17 m −3 for capacitive and inductive sources, respectively [1]. Helicon sources have been proposed for generating ions for several different spacecraft electric propulsion systems including the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) [2,3] and the high power helicon (HPH) thruster [4]. These systems require very high input powers on the order of tens of kilowatts and high magnetic fields (>500 G).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High density mode in xenon produced by a Helicon Double Layer Thruster

West¹,

Charles²,

Boswell³

2009

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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A high density 'blue' mode has been observed when operating the Helicon Double Layer Thruster (HDLT) with xenon. Using a Langmuir probe and a retarding field energy analyser (RFEA), the plasma source and exhaust have been characterized at various radio frequency (RF) powers and operating pressures. When operating at low RF powers, the HDLT prototype is shown to be in a capacitively coupled mode. As the RF power is increased, a discrete mode transition occurs over a small RF power range (at about 625 W at 0.45 mTorr) and the plasma inside the source increases in density significantly and changes to a bright white/blue colour. This high density mode exhibits hysteresis, and radial measurements inside the source reveal a centrally peaked profile that is indicative of a helicon wave-sustained discharge. The quality, or Q, factor of the matching box is determined as a function of RF power and is shown to decrease in the high density mode, consistent with the increase in plasma density observed. The xenon exhaust of the HDLT prototype is investigated axially with the Langmuir probe and the RFEA and is shown to follow a Boltzmann expansion with an electron temperature of about 6 eV.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High density mode in xenon produced by a Helicon Double Layer Thruster

West¹,

Charles²,

Boswell³

2009

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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“…[1][2][3][4] All of these proposed concepts rely on a magnetic field for plasma confinement, and as a consequence, when the thrust is directed along this field, magnetic detachment becomes a significant concern. In order to circumvent this issue, we proposed in 2010 and 2011 two concepts that provide transverse acceleration across the confining magnetic field.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Characterization of Plasma Heating with Beating Electrostatic Waves

Jorns

Choueiri²

2012

48th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference &Amp;amp; Exhibit

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The heating of ions in a magnetized plasma by two electrostatic waves whose frequencies differ by the ion cyclotron frequency is experimentally and analytically characterized. An analytical model is presented for the power absorption by the two waves, and it is shown that the two-wave process will yield superior heating to a single electrostatic wave only in the event that the total wave energy density exceeds a threshold value. An experimental investigation of the increase in ion temperature as a function of the fraction of total energy density in one of the propagating modes subsequently reveals that for a low temperature plasma, heating with a single electrostatic wave is superior to employing two beating electrostatic waves. This result is consistent with the analytical prediction that the available wave energy density in the experiment is below the required threshold for the superiority of the two-wave process.

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“…The plasma is ionised using helicon electromagnetic waves [5,6] in what is thereby known as the helicon section of the engine. Following ionisation, the plasma is heated by electromagnetic waves at the ion cyclotron resonance frequency, termed ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH), significantly increasing the ion temperature [7,8]. A magnetic nozzle converts the azimuthal kinetic energy of the ions into axial kinetic energy and facilitates detachment of the plasma from the magnetic field [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermo-structural modelling of a plasma discharge tube for electric propulsion

Faoite

Browne

Gamboa³

et al. 2016

Applied Thermal Engineering

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Publication informationApplied Thermal Engineering, 98 : 541-552 Publisher ElsevierItem record/more information http://hdl.handle.net/10197/8714 Publisher's statement þÿ T h i s i s t h e a u t h o r s v e r s i o n o f a w o r k t h a tAbstract Potential thermal management strategies for the plasma generation section of a VASIMR R high-power electric propulsion space thruster are assessed. The plasma is generated in a discharge tube using helicon waves. The plasma generation process causes a significant thermal load on the plasma discharge tube and on neighbouring components, caused by cross-field particle diffusion and UV radiation. Four potential cooling system design strategies are assessed to deal with this thermal load. Four polycrystalline ceramics are evaluated for use as the plasma discharge tube material: alumina, aluminium nitride, beryllia, and silicon nitride. A finite element analysis (FEA) method was used to model the steady-state temperature and stress fields resulting from the plasma heat flux. Of the four materials assessed aluminium nitride would result in the lowest plasma discharge tube temperatures and stresses. It was found that a design consisting of a monolithic ceramic plasma containment tube fabricated from aluminium nitride would be capable of operating up to a power level of at least 250 kW.

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Electromagnetic ion cyclotron resonance heating in the VASIMR

Cited by 28 publications

References 58 publications

High density mode in xenon produced by a Helicon Double Layer Thruster

High density mode in xenon produced by a Helicon Double Layer Thruster

Experimental Characterization of Plasma Heating with Beating Electrostatic Waves

Thermo-structural modelling of a plasma discharge tube for electric propulsion

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