Computational Analysis of Current Coupling of Ion Beam-Neutralizer Interactions

Abstract

Neutralization of ion beams in electric propulsion applications is well-known phenomenon. The physics behind the robust matching of ion and electron currents and densities, are not. As electric propulsion devices move into micro and macro regimes with colloids, FEEPs, and thruster arrays, thruster-neutralizer interactions are under increasing scrutiny. A series of 2D simulations using PlC codes are presented, detailing starting and steady state interactions. It is shown that the expectations of full current coupling of electrons to the beam is not seen, but there is similar coupling behavior exhibited. Numerical mechanisms for coupling the current to the beam are examined for effect on coupling behavior.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 15, 2005
Accession Number
ADA437944

Entities

People

  • Adrian Wheelock
  • D. L. Cooke
  • Nikolaos A. Gatsonis

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Astronautics
  • Cell Size
  • Electric Fields
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Engineering
  • Ion Beams
  • Ions
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Neutralization
  • Simulations
  • Spacecraft
  • Three Dimensional
  • Thrusters
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster