Probe measurement of plasma plume on electrodeless helicon plasma thruster using Lissajous acceleration

Takahiro Nakamura, Hiroyuki Nishida, Takeshi Matsuoka, Ikkoh Funaki, Shunjiro Shinohara, Takao Tanikawa, Tohru Hada, Konstantin P. Shamrai, Timofei S. Rudenko

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Abstract

    In order to realize a long-lived electric propulsion system, we have been investigating an electrodeless plasma thruster concept utilizing a helicon plasma source and Lissajous plasma acceleration, which uses the static diverging magnetic field and a rotating electric field (REF). Using a laboratory model of the Lissajous acceleration-type thruster, plasma acceleration experiments have been conducted. In the experiments, plasma flow velocity was measured at the center in the thruster using a para-perp type Mach probe. It was observed that the application of the REF power (13.56 MHz, 1.4kVp-p) makes in increase in the plasma flow velocity. In addition, axial distributions of the plasma velocity indicate that the particle collision between neutral gas and plasma particle has a significant effect on the plasma expansion process in the magnetic nozzle.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationSpace for Our Future - Advances in the Astronautical Sciences
    Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 13th International Conference of Pacific-Basin Societies, ISCOPS 2012
    Pages187-197
    Number of pages11
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    Event13th International Space Conference of Pacific-Basin Societies, ISCOPS 2012 - Kyoto, Japan
    Duration: May 15 2012May 18 2012

    Publication series

    NameAdvances in the Astronautical Sciences
    Volume146
    ISSN (Print)0065-3438

    Other

    Other13th International Space Conference of Pacific-Basin Societies, ISCOPS 2012
    Country/TerritoryJapan
    CityKyoto
    Period5/15/125/18/12

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Aerospace Engineering
    • Space and Planetary Science

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