Modelling of capillary capacitively coupled radio frequency thruster

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics plasma simulations of a capillary capacitively coupled radio frequency thruster discharge with front powered electrode was performed. Good agreement with experimental results was obtained for the global parameters of the thruster. The spatial characteristics of the discharge were analyzed. DC bias is found to develop in accordance with classical theory of asymmetric capacitive discharge. The electrons temperature in the plasma bulk is ∼2 eV and increasing the sheath near the powered electrode to ∼6 eV. The plasma density is 1019 m−3 whereas excited argon species are 1020 m−3. The thrust can be completely attributed to gas dynamic acceleration.