Publication: PIC/fluid/wave Simulation of the Plasma Discharge in an ECR Plasma Thruster
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2019-09-15
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Abstract
We present the first self-consistent, complete simulations of the Big-Magnet electron-cyclotron resonance thruster (ECRT) developed by ONERA. The simulation uses a hybrid PIC/ uid model for the plasma transport and a frequency-domain full-wave model for the electromagnetic fields based on an adaptable mesh and a collisional cold plasma dielectric description. Plasma properties and electromagnetic fields are shown for the nominal operating point. Most of the electromagnetic power absorption is due to radial electric fields near the ECR region. The simulation shows that the ECRT plasma discharge contains multiple electromagnetic wave propagation regimes, and the sensitivity of the wavefields on the the plasma profiles.
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This paper has been presented at the 36th International Electric Propulsion Conference