Experimental characterization of thrust production mechanisms in a magnetic nozzle ECR thruster

Boni, Federico; Désangles, Victor; Jarrige, Julien

doi:10.1007/s44205-022-00034-7

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Data interpretation can be challenging due (mainly) to a high-energy ion beam [12]. On the other hand, CP measurements have already given access successfully to electron density profiles in the near field of the thruster [11,35].…”

Section: Results Inside the Ecr Thruster Plumementioning

confidence: 99%

A sheath correction method for electron density measurements with the microwave resonant curling probe

Boni,

Désangles,

Jarrige

2023

Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.

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A correction method accounting for plasma sheath effects that appear when performing an electron density measurement with a microwave resonant probe immersed in plasma is described. The diagnostic is the novel curling probe that has already shown promising capabilities in various plasma sources. The correction method is based on the evaluation of two effects relative to the resonant probe operation and its interface with the plasma. First, the characteristic decay length of the electromagnetic field emitted by the curling probe, which defines the probed volume, has been characterized for the different harmonic resonance modes. Second, a semi-analytical model has been adapted to describe the plasma structure forming near the probe, which quantitively describes the electron density profiles across the sheath structure. The correction method is then developed uniquely from numerical simulations and is independent of other diagnostics. Experimental results inside two plasma sources, an inductively coupled plasma and an ECR plasma thruster, are presented and discussed. The validity of the method is assessed (i) by comparing curling probe corrected densities with Langmuir probe results, (ii) by varying the probe orientation to the expanding plasma flow, and (iii) by using two harmonics of the probe. The method is shown to significantly improve the accuracy of electron density measurements. Possible improvements to the method are also discussed.

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Section: Results Inside the Ecr Thruster Plumementioning

confidence: 99%

A sheath correction method for electron density measurements with the microwave resonant curling probe

Boni,

Désangles,

Jarrige

2023

Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.

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“…The magnetic nozzle (MN) is a device used for providing constraint to plasma and converting the internal energy of plasma into kinetic energy. It is commonly used in electric propulsion, especially with neutralizer-free thrusters [1,2], such as helicon plasma sources [3][4][5][6], electron-cyclotron-resonance sources [7][8][9][10], Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters [11], or vacuum cathode arc thrusters [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Introducing equations (5) and (6) to equation(10) leads to a simplified equation shown in equation (11):…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Design criteria assessment of a magnetic nozzle

Chan,

Herdrich

2023

Phys. Scr.

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A model to assess the design criteria for a convergent-divergent magnetic nozzle is provided. This model is based on an ideal single-fluid magnetohydrodynamic flow assumption to evaluate the acceleration and detachment in the magnetic nozzle. A thermodynamic correlation of plasma internal energy during the propagation in a magnetic nozzle is presented. The result reveals the limitation of a magnetic nozzle on the conversion of internal energy to kinetic energy, where an upper limit of around 19% is derived, assuming plasma undergoes ideal conditions. In addition, criteria derived from the model also point out that a threshold on magnetic flux density exists to prevent the occurrence of flow discontinuity during propagation along the magnetic nozzle. The result hints at the essential role of the electric field on the acceleration processes of a magnetic nozzle, which can potentially be the key to overcoming the limitation of a magnetic nozzle’s performance.

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Experimental characterization of thrust production mechanisms in a magnetic nozzle ECR thruster

Cited by 2 publications

References 21 publications

A sheath correction method for electron density measurements with the microwave resonant curling probe

A sheath correction method for electron density measurements with the microwave resonant curling probe

Design criteria assessment of a magnetic nozzle

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