Plasma separation from magnetic field lines in a magnetic nozzle

Kaufman, D.; Goodwin, David G.; Sercel, Joel C.

doi:10.2514/6.1993-817

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Since his model has been the basis for other works, [11][12][13][14] yielding inwards plasma separation too, a discussion of Hooper's model is very pertinent here. Hooper's model is similar to ours except for two important features, which are at the core of the disagreement with our conclusions: his model imposes current ambipolarity everywhere and is limited to the expansion of a cold plasma.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two-dimensional plasma expansion in a magnetic nozzle: Separation due to electron inertia

Ahedo

Merino

2012

Physics of Plasmas

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A previous axisymmetric model of the supersonic expansion of a collisionless, hot plasma in a divergent magnetic nozzle is extended here in order to include electron-inertia effects. Up to dominant order on all components of the electron velocity, electron momentum equations still reduce to three conservation laws. Electron inertia leads to outward electron separation from the magnetic streamtubes. The progressive plasma filling of the adjacent vacuum region is consistent with electron-inertia being part of finite electron Larmor radius effects, which increase downstream and eventually demagnetize the plasma. Current ambipolarity is not fulfilled and ion separation can be either outwards or inwards of magnetic streamtubes, depending on their magnetization. Electron separation penalizes slightly the plume efficiency and is larger for plasma beams injected with large pressure gradients. An alternative nonzero electron-inertia model [E. Hooper, J. Propul. Power 9, 757 (1993)] based on cold plasmas and current ambipolarity, which predicts inwards electron separation, is discussed critically. A possible competition of the gyroviscous force with electron-inertia effects is commented briefly. V C 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two-dimensional plasma expansion in a magnetic nozzle: Separation due to electron inertia

Ahedo

Merino

2012

Physics of Plasmas

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“…Collisionless detachment has been the focus of most research due to the anticipated convergent detachment. The primary means for achieving collisionless detachment are due to loss of adiabaticity, electron inertial effects, 8,[27][28][29][30][31][32] and induced magnetic field effects. 2, 27, 31-39…”

Section: B Collisionless Detachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ratio of the magnetic inertia to the flow inertia is characterized by the non-dimensional parameter shown in Equation 8. 28,29,31…”

Section: Inertial Detachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Significant theoretical and computational study has been done to characterize the effectiveness of inertial detachment with some suggesting demagnetization based on the hybrid Larmor radius as an effective means for detachment [28][29][30]39 and others suggesting only demagnetization of electrons effectively achieves detachment. 27,31,32,40 The condition for the detachment of the hybrid Larmor radius particle has been shown in a study by Little to be G −1/2 | ∇B B | = .5.…”

Section: Inertial Detachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Magnetic Nozzle Plasma Plume: Review of Crucial Physical Phenomena

Ebersohn¹,

Girimaji²,

Staack³

et al. 2012

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

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This paper presents a review of the current understanding of magnetic nozzle physics. The crucial steps necessary for thrust generation in magnetic nozzles are energy conversion, plasma detachment, and momentum transfer. The currently considered mechanisms by which to extract kinetic energy from the plasma include the conservation of the magnetic moment adiabatic invariant, electric field forces, thermal energy directionalization, and Joule heating. Plasma detachment mechanisms discussed include resistive diffusion, recombination, magnetic reconnection, loss of adiabaticity, inertial forces, and self-field detachment. Momentum transfer from the plasma to the spacecraft occurs due to the interaction between the applied field currents and induced currents which are formed due to the magnetic pressure. These three physical phenomena are crucial to thrust generation and must be understood to optimize magnetic nozzle design. The operating dimensionless parameter ranges of six prominent experiments are considered and the corresponding mechanisms are discussed.

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“…The relevance of Hooper's model -and his conclusions -is that they were taken unquestioned as the starting point for other works. 151,152,169 This model is critically discussed in Chapter 6.…”

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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Plasma separation from magnetic field lines in a magnetic nozzle

Cited by 10 publications

References 3 publications

Two-dimensional plasma expansion in a magnetic nozzle: Separation due to electron inertia

Two-dimensional plasma expansion in a magnetic nozzle: Separation due to electron inertia

Magnetic Nozzle Plasma Plume: Review of Crucial Physical Phenomena

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

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