Nascap-2k Self-Consistent Simulations of a VLF Plasma Antenna

Abstract

We simulate the plasma response to a high voltage square wave VLF antenna in Medium Earth Orbit plasma with Nascap-2k. The plasma is modeled with a hybrid Particle-in-cell (PlC) approach with PlC ions and fluid barometric electron densities. The plasma response, collected ion currents, and chassis floating potential are computed self-consistently with a near-square-wave bias applied to the antennas. Particle injection and splitting are used to replenish the plasma depleted at the boundary, represent the thermal distribution, and maintain appropriately sized macroparticles. Therefore, current limitation due to the thermal distribution of ions and the resulting angular momentum barrier are included. Above the ion plasma frequency the plasma current lags the voltage by about 100, while below the ion plasma frequency the current leads the voltage by about 7 degrees.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 21, 2007
Accession Number
ADA472842

Entities

People

  • A. T. Wheelock
  • C. Roth
  • D. L. Cooke
  • M. J. Mandell
  • V. A. Davis

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Angular Momentum
  • Boundaries
  • Earth Orbits
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Frequency
  • High Density
  • High Voltage
  • Medium Earth Orbits
  • Momentum
  • Orbits
  • Particles
  • Phase Shift
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Square Waves

Readers

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster