Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002iaf..confe.826b&link_type=abstract
IAF abstracts, 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, The Second World Space Congress, held 10-19 October, 2002 in Houston, TX, USA.,
Physics
Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Internal electrode-free VASIMR thruster [1-3] consists of three major sections: plasma production, plasma heating, and plasma exhaust. In our previous works [6-10] we have performed an extensive study of plasma dynamics in the plasma source. We have developed several models of helicon plasma discharge utilizing hydrogen (deuterium) gas, and analyzed its performance in the experimental set-up [4-5]. In the present work we are trying to expand and apply existing models to the helium gas propellant case. Though the specific impulse is somewhat lower with heavier helium atoms, but unlike hydrogenic species helium doesn't form molecules, and therefore shows less radiative losses. We extend 0-D plasma-chemistry, 1-D mixed-collisional and kinetic gas flow models [11] to characterize gas/plasma composition and condition in the helium helicon discharge. Recent experiments suggest that there is a strong dependence of both VASIMR 1st and 2nd stage performance on the magnetic field mirror ratio in the VX-10 experimental configuration. We study effects of the plasma particles trapping in a strong magnetic field and their acceleration by the combination of the mirror force and ambipolar potential for the typical VASIMR experiment conditions. We also discuss possibility for plasma instabilities and comment on the micro-scale plasma transport in the VASIMR thruster. [1] Chang Díaz F.R., "Research Status of The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket", Proc. 39th Annual Meeting of the Division of Plasma Physics (Pittsburgh, PA, 1997), Bulletin of APS, 42 (1997) 2057. [2] Chang Díaz, F. R., Squire, J. P., Carter, M., et al., `'Recent Progress on the VASIMR'', Proc. 41th Annual Meeting of the Division of Plasma Physics (Seattle, WA, 1999), Bulletin of APS, 44 (1999) 99. [3] Chang Díaz, F. R., Squire, J. P., Ilin, A. V., et al. "The Development of the VASIMR Engine", Proceedings of International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA99), Sept. 13-17, 1999, Torino, Italy, (1999) 99-102. [4] F.R.Chang Diaz et al., "An Overview of Current Research on the VASIMR Engine", DPP-2000, Bull. APS, vol.45, 7 (2000) 129. [5] J.P.Squire, "Recent Experimental Results in the VX-10 Device", DPP-2000, Bull. APS, vol.45, 7 (2000) 130. [6] O.Batishchev and K.Molvig, "Kinetic Simulation of the high Isp Plasma Thruster", JPC-36, AIAA-3754 technical paper, Huntsville (2000) 11p. [7] O.Batishchev and K.Molvig, "Study of the Operational Regimes of the VASIMR Helicon Plasma Source", DPP- 2000, Quebec City, Canada, Bull. APS, 45, 7 (2000) 130. [8] O.Batishchev and K.Molvig, "Study of Mixed Collisionality Gas Flow in the VASIMR Thruster", DFD-2000, DC, USA, Bull. APS, 45, 9 (2000) 169. [9] O.Batishchev and K.Molvig, "Kinetic Model of a Helicon Plasma Source for VASIMR", ACME-39, AIAA-0963 technical paper, ASME-39, Reno, 2001. [10] O.Batishchev and K.Molvig "Kinetic study of the VASIMR thruster operational regimes", JPC-37, AIAA-3501 technical paper, Salt-Lake City, 2001. [11] O.Batishchev and K.Molvig, "Numerical study of plasma production in the VASIMR thruster", IEPC-01-208 paper, 27 Int. Electric Prop. Conf., Pasadena CA, 15-19 October, -19p, 2001.
Batishchev Oleg
Molvig Kim
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