A Magnetically Enhanced Inductive Discharge Chamber for Electric Propulsion Applications

Author

Foster, J.E. ; Gillman, Eric D.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Nucl. Eng. & Radiol. Sci., Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor, MI

Volume

36

Issue

5

fYear

2008

Firstpage

2130

Lastpage

2140

Abstract

A magnetically enhanced inductive discharge was investigated for electric propulsion applications. The high plasma density produced by the source makes it attractive as an ion source for a gridded ion thruster or possibly a standalone ambipolar thruster. The discharge plasma is produced by a compact ldquostovetoprdquo spiral antenna that is similar to that used in plasma processing sources. Operation on argon to pressures as low as 1 mtorr was demonstrated at powers ranging from 100 to 250 W. Ion current as high as 1 A was extracted from a 10-cm-diameter device. Plasma properties and ion production efficiency are reported and commented upon.

Keywords

aerospace propulsion; antennas in plasma; argon; high-frequency discharges; plasma applications; plasma density; plasma devices; plasma sources; Ar; ambipolar thruster; electric propulsion; gridded ion thruster; ion current; ion production; ion source; magnetically enhanced inductive discharge chamber; plasma density; plasma device; plasma processing sources; plasma properties; power 100 W to 250 W; pressure 1 mtorr; radiofrequency driven plasma sources; stovetop spiral antenna; Antenna; ion engines; ionization; permanent magnets; plasma discharge; radio frequency (RF);

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPS.2008.2001975

Filename

4639488