Investigation of waveform and circuit effects on RF-driven plasmas using fluid and kinetic models
Abstract
An attracting option for the next-generation electric propulsion (EP) device is inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) that use radiofrequency (RF) power supplies. While one main advantage of ICPs is that the plasma does not interact with solid materials, e.g., walls and electrodes, the key reason why RF plasma thrusters have not been employed is primarily due to its low thruster efficiency. The thruster efficiency is mainly determined by the ionization (mass utilization efficiency) and acceleration (electrical efficiency) processes. Hence, it is important to unravel the physical and chemical processes of RF-powered ICPs to optimize the thruster performance. ICPs are challenging to computationally model because of the inductive nature, i.e., electromagnetic Maxwell equations need to be solved instead of electrostatic Poisson equation, and the complex physics associated with inductive power input. The goal of this proposed research project is to develop high-fidelity computational models of ICPs and investigate the waveforms and circuit effects on ICP thrusters.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502510032
Entities
People
- Ken Hara
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Stanford University
- United States Air Force