High-Density Helicon Plasma Thrusters Using Electrodeless Acceleration Schemes

Kuwahara, Daisuke; Shinohara, Shunjiro; Ishii, Takamichi; Otsuka, Shuhei; Nakagawa, T.; Kishi, K; Sakata, M; Tanaka, Eiko; Iwaya, Hiraku; Takizawa, Kohei; Tanida, Yuriko; Naitô, Takayuki; Yano, Kazuki

doi:10.2322/tastj.14.pb_117

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(20 reference statements)

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“…, and a static pressure n e kT e , where k is the Boltzmann constant, was increased since both n e and v i are increased by increasing I RMF . In our previous RMF experiments with f RMF ¼ 5 MHz, I RMF could be increased up to 50 A pp 15 because of better rf matching conditions, but typical increases of n e and v i were $12% and $14%, 7 which were much smaller than those of the present results, which will also be discussed in D.…”

Section: Results Of Rmf Accelerationcontrasting

confidence: 64%

Study on electromagnetic plasma propulsion using rotating magnetic field acceleration scheme

et al. 2017

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As one of the electromagnetic plasma acceleration systems, we have proposed a rotating magnetic field (RMF) acceleration scheme to overcome the present problem of direct plasma-electrode interactions, leading to a short lifetime with a poor plasma performance due to contamination. In this scheme, we generate a plasma by a helicon wave excited by a radio frequency (rf) antenna which has no direct-contact with a plasma. Then, the produced plasma is accelerated by the axial Lorentz force f z ¼ j h Â B r (j h is an azimuthal current induced by RMF, and B r is an external radial magnetic field). Erosion of electrodes and contamination are not expected in this total system since RMF coils and an rf antenna do not have contact with the plasma directly. Here, we have measured the plasma parameters (electron density n e and axial ion velocity v i) to demonstrate this RMF acceleration scheme by the use of AC currents in two sets of opposing coils to generate a RMF. The maximum increasing rate Dv i /v i was $28% (maximum v i of $3 km/s), while the density increasing rate of Dn e /n e is $ 70% in the case of a RMF current frequency f RMF of 3 MHz, which showed a better plasma performance than that with f RMF ¼ 5 MHz. Moreover, thrust characteristics such as a specific impulse and a thrust efficiency were discussed, although a target plasma was not optimized.

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Section: Results Of Rmf Accelerationcontrasting

confidence: 64%

Study on electromagnetic plasma propulsion using rotating magnetic field acceleration scheme

et al. 2017

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“…RMF thrusters with a helicon plasma source. The helicon electrodeless advanced thruster project has investigated the use of RMFs and an alternating axial magnetic field to accelerate plasma produced by a helicon plasma source [70] (figure 16).…”

Section: Current Electrodeless Plasma Thruster Technology Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reaction between the magnetic field in the coil and the plasma current generates a Lorentz force = ( ) F J B t plasma field that Figure 16. Helicon plasma source with an RMF accelerator (after [70]). The performance of this device is shown in table 5.…”

Section: Pulsed Inductive Plasma Accelerators (Pit)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrodeless plasma thrusters for spacecraft: a review

Bathgate

Bilek

McKenzie

2017

Plasma Sci. Technol.

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The physics of electrodeless electric thrusters that use directed plasma to propel spacecraft without employing electrodes subject to plasma erosion is reviewed. Electrodeless plasma thrusters are potentially more durable than presently deployed thrusters that use electrodes such as gridded ion, Hall thrusters, arcjets and resistojets. Like other plasma thrusters, electrodeless thrusters have the advantage of reduced fuel mass compared to chemical thrusters that produce the same thrust. The status of electrodeless plasma thrusters that could be used in communications satellites and in spacecraft for interplanetary missions is examined. Electrodeless thrusters under development or planned for deployment include devices that use a rotating magnetic field; devices that use a rotating electric field; pulsed inductive devices that exploit the Lorentz force on an induced current loop in a plasma; devices that use radiofrequency fields to heat plasmas and have magnetic nozzles to accelerate the hot plasma and other devices that exploit the Lorentz force. Using metrics of specific impulse and thrust efficiency, we find that the most promising designs are those that use Lorentz forces directly to expel plasma and those that use magnetic nozzles to accelerate plasma.

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“…For this reason, many different helicon sources of different geometrical scales have been designed and their ability to control plasmas described. 63,64,65 They feature very complex physics 66 , 67, -68, 69, but hold high promise for space thruster applications 70 . We expect the explosive evolution of high-density helicon plasma sources, which have many advantages compared to other sources from the viewpoints of easy handling of high-density plasmas over a wide range of external parameters.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives, frontiers, and new horizons for plasma-based space electric propulsion

et al. 2020

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There are a number of pressing problems mankind is facing today that could, at least in part, be resolved by space systems. They include capabilities for fast and far-reaching telecommunication, surveying of resources and climate, and sustaining global information networks, to name but a few. Not surprisingly, increasing efforts are now devoted to building a strong near-Earth satellite infrastructure, with plans to extend the sphere of active life to orbital space and later, to the Moon and Mars if not further. This demands novel and more efficient means of propulsion. At present not only heavy launch systems are still based on thermodynamic principles but satellites and spacecraft still rely on gasbased thrusters or chemical engines to move. Similarly to other transportation systems where electrical platforms expand rapidly, space propulsion technologies are also experiencing a shift towards electric thrusters which do not feature limitations intrinsic to thermodynamic systems. Most important, electric and plasma thrusters promise virtually any impulse ultimately limited by the light speed. Not surprisingly, consolidated efforts in this field could be seen, and all-electric space systems are becoming closer to reality. In this paper we briefly outline the most recent successes in the development of plasma-based space propulsion systems, and present our view on future trends, possibilities and challenges.

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High-Density Helicon Plasma Thrusters Using Electrodeless Acceleration Schemes

Cited by 6 publications

References 16 publications

Study on electromagnetic plasma propulsion using rotating magnetic field acceleration scheme

Study on electromagnetic plasma propulsion using rotating magnetic field acceleration scheme

Electrodeless plasma thrusters for spacecraft: a review

Perspectives, frontiers, and new horizons for plasma-based space electric propulsion

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