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Investigation of a light gas helicon plasma source for the vasimr space propulsion system
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Glover, T. W. Jacobson, V. T. Carter, M. D. Chang-Diaz, F. R. Bengtson, R. D. Goulding, R. H. Baity, F. W. Bering II, E. A. Squire, J. P. |
| Copyright Year | 2003 |
| Description | An efficient plasma source producing a high-density (approx.10(exp 19/cu m) light gas (e.g. H, D, or He) flowing plasma with a high degree of ionization is a critical component of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) concept. We are developing an antenna to apply ICRF power near the fundamental ion cyclotron resonance to further accelerate the plasma ions to velocities appropriate for space propulsion applications. The high degree of ionization and a low vacuum background pressure are important to eliminate the problem of radial losses due to charge exchange. We have performed parametric (e.g. gas flow, power (0.5 - 3 kW), magnetic field , frequency (25 and 50 MHz)) studies of a helicon operating with gas (H2 D2, He, N2 and Ar) injected at one end with a high magnetic mirror downstream of the antenna. We have explored operation with a cusp and a mirror field upstream. Plasma flows into a low background vacuum (<10(exp -4) torr) at velocities higher than the ion sound speed. High densities (approx. 10(exp 19/cu m) have been achieved at the location where ICRF will be applied, just downstream of the magnetic mirror. |
| File Size | 319150 |
| Page Count | 1 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20110011051 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t6838rp8x |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2003-05-19 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Spacecraft Propulsion And Power Position Location Charge Exchange Hydrogen Cyclotron Resonance Ion Cyclotron Radiation Helium Vasimr Propulsion System Gas Flow Magnetic Mirrors Magnetohydrodynamic Flow Plasma Heating Radio Frequency Heating Technology Utilization Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
