Experimental Characterization of the Capacitively Coupled RF-Plasma Thruster
Source abstract
Abstract
A novel design of a neutralizer-free plasma thruster is proposed. This setup features a capacitively coupled RF discharge for plasma generation combined with a magnetic nozzle configuration for acceleration. Characteristics of the plasma plume and ions flux are investigated with the help of emissive probes and retarding potential analyzers (RPA). Essential parameters of the thruster like ions energy, ions flux, utilization efficiencies, and thrust are estimated. The investigated system produces a beam of ions accelerated to an energy of 10 eV when operated at power levels of ~20 W and a mass flow of 1.2 mg/s. The ion energy coincides with the potential drop in the plasma plume indicating that the acceleration takes place due the formation of an ambipolar electric field in the expanding plasma. The design is compared to the data available of other similar thrusters.
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
Institute for Plasma Technology and Basics of Electrical Engineering, Bundeswehr University Munich, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, 85579 Neubiberg, Germany
Funding
Digitalization and Technology Research Center of the Bundeswehr
References (11)
Show source-provided references
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