Characterization of Molecular Species in a Helicon Source Representative of EP Device Plasma Conditions
Abstract
There is rapidly growing interest in alternate molecular propellants for electric propulsion (EP) owing to their potential application in dual-mode configurations, in situ resource utilization, as green propellants etc. However, the state of knowledge (modeling ability) of these plasmas lags that of commonly used atomic propellants. A key challenge is that the molecular plasmas are inherently more complex due to the presence of additional processes, particularly molecular dissociation and vibrational excitation. A key challenge is that the molecular plasmas are inherently more complex due to the presence of additional processes, particularly molecular dissociation and vibrational excitation. Experimental study of these systems is also limited by a lack of detailed state- and species-specific diagnostics to characterize the dissociation, ionization, rovibrational distributions, along with related effects such as neutral depletion. The overarching goal of the present proposal is to utilize a radio-frequency (RF) helicon as a surrogate for electric-propulsion-relevant thrusters operated on molecular propellants to enable advanced diagnostic development and fundamental scientific research on molecular working gases under various operating conditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502410480
Entities
People
- Azer Yalin
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Colorado State University
- United States Air Force