Kinetic Simulation of Plasma in Ion Thruster Discharge Chamber. Comparison with Experimental Data. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lovtsov, A.S.; Kravchenko, D.A.
• Is Part Of: Procedia engineering. Volume 185(2017)
• Page Start: 326
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: plasma -- electric propulsion -- ion thruster -- discharge chamber -- numerical simulation -- kinetic simulation -- particle in cell.; Engineering -- Congresses; Engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering; Conference proceedings; Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2017.03.311
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1877-7058

Abstract

Abstract: Development of electric propulsion systems (EPS) with high efficiency, reliability and long lifetime is required for solution of present-day space challenges. Ion thrusters (IT) are among the most promising types of EPS. This work is dedicated to numerical simulation of discharge chamber plasma. A 2D 3 V kinetic non-stationary particle-in-cell model has been developed. It includes several new techniques. Maintenance of quasi-neutrality at the cathode border allows the value of discharge current depending on the dynamic plasma parameters to be obtained. In addition, the model includes a technique for modelling operation of a power supply. It expects discharge current control by discharge voltage variation. Combination of these two features allows us to consider plasma discharge in the DC as a dynamic self-consistent system. Several simulations of IT-50 ion thruster operation modes were carried out using the present model. Simulation results and experimental data show sufficient agreement.