Developing Methods of Control of Self-Organized Plasma Structures in Devices Relevant to Electric Propulsion
Abstract
The research conducted under this project was built upon advances in understanding of plasma instabilities and relevant kinetic effects responsible for anomalous electron cross-field transport and associated mode transition with and without plasma structures in a simplified uniform ExB plasma configuration of the Penning plasma discharge. The overall goal of the project was to apply this unique knowledge and developed experimental and modeling tools to more complex magnetized configurations operating under more realistic conditions encountered in plasma propulsion devices, including effects of gas pressure, magnetic-field and plasma-pressure gradients, and the flows. Synergy effects between transport phenomena and plasma-wall interaction were also in the focus of the project. The research plan was to carry out high fidelity measurements of time-averaged and time-resolving plasma properties and perform particle-in-cell simulations which would resolve multi-dimensional and multiscale nature of plasma transport phenomena encountered in space plasma propulsion and related plasma devices. The intention was also to develop and apply effective methods of control of plasma structures and mode transition based on fundamental understanding of their mechanisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 28, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1230244
Entities
People
- Igor Kaganovich
- Mark Cappelli
- Yevgeny Raitses
Organizations
- Stanford University
- Trustees of Princeton University