Effect of a permanent-magnet-induced cusp field on a magnetic nozzle radio frequency plasma thruster
Source abstract
Abstract
A cusp magnetic field is formed upstream of a radio frequency antenna by using a permanent magnet (PM) array in a radio frequency plasma source attached to a diffusion chamber, while an expanding magnetic field configuration downstream of the source is maintained by placing a solenoid near the source tube’s exit, resembling a magnetic nozzle plasma thruster. The PM array is composed of 16 neodymium magnets and is designed to be movable axially, providing a movable axial location of the cusp field. The source is operated at a frequency of 13.56 MHz and an rf power of up to 2.6 kW in low-pressure argon. A force exerted on a target plate located downstream of the source is assessed by a pendulum target technique, showing that the force is increased if the cusp field is closer to the radio frequency antenna. The result is consistent with the previously reported result for the cusp field configuration applied by two sets of solenoids, while the present configuration can reduce the consumed electricity for the upstream solenoid.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Plasma Diagnostics and Applications · Electrohydrodynamics and Fluid Dynamics · Cryptographic Implementations and Security
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Electrical Engineering, Tohoku University 1 , Sendai 980-8579, Japan
National Institute for Fusion Science 2 , Toki 509-5292, Japan
Funding
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science London · Fusion Oriented REsearch for Disruptive Science and Technology
References (41)
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