Neutral Entrainment Demonstration in a Xenon FRC Thruster Experiment
Abstract
The primary concern with operating a fully-ionized, plasma-based electric propulsion system on lightweight gasses is that the per-ion plasma formation and ejection losses are typically much larger than the energy of directed lightweight propellant. A new innovation, the PROTEAN, adds a secondary Neutral Entrainment (NE) stage that, if successful, can reduce the plasma formation losses. This NE stage injects neutral propellant into the plasma path after ejection from an electromagnetic Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) thruster, such as the 1 kW Electromagnetic Plasmoid Thruster (EMPT). The FRC ingests these neutral particles, accelerating them up to high velocities through resonant charge exchange collisions. The NE stage then highly efficiently adds further kinetic energy to the engorged plasmoid through Peristaltic Dynamic Acceleration, in which sequenced theta-pinch coils are actuated to provide a large magnetic pressure gradient. In total, this system should allow for the addition of active propellant mass without significant further ionization or plasma frozen flow losses. This paper presents the experimental and MHD modeling results of the Phase I PROTEAN program to demonstrate Neutral Entrainment in a 5 Joule conical experiment. Radial and temporal plasma profiles were measured using external and internal magnetic field probes and downstream time-of-flight langmuir probes for the formation, acceleration, and entrainment of a xenon FRC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA596806
Entities
People
- Anthony Pancotti
- David Kirtley
- George Votroubek
- Jim Pihl
- John Slough
Organizations
- University of Washington