Exploring Energy Conversion and Transport in RF-Driven of Molecular Gas Plasmas through Modeling and Simulation
Abstract
As the commercialization of electric propulsion (EP) thrusters has expanded, xenon and other noble gases have become resource limited quantities. As a substitute, a number of molecular propellants are under consideration for future envisioned EP systems, particularly those produced using higher number density RF driven sources. However, there are important fundamental science gaps in the plasmadynamics of such thruster systems that need to be addressed. The proposed research encompasses three general elements that will allow us to understand the physics of RF- fed magnetically focused molecular plasmas. (1) The energy conversion and transport of a simple RF-fed source into an Inductively Coupled Plasmas (ICPs), joined by a subsonic-supersonic nozzle will be studied. This will enable us to understand how the boundary layer and any frozen flow losses affect plasma expansions. Type 1 molecular propellants will be studied in the proposed work since there a number of internal energy mode transfer models that already exist for air-derived molecules. (2) Energy conversion for the same atomic and molecular gases will then be considered for an ECR microwave plasma source. We will investigate how zones of strong magnetic fields excite the molecular plasma and considering the higher plasma number density compared to the ICP-nozzle case, how does the thermalization of electrons change internal energy losses. The more complex nature of the RF coupling into the plasma and its effect on heating electrons will be considered. (3) To obtain information about the role of internal energy transfer in molecular plasmas, a general collisional radiative (CR) model to predict optical emission spectra will be developed. The CR model will build on previously processes known to be important in argon and xenon as well as earth reentry plasmas.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502510052
Entities
People
- Deborah Ann Levin
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign