On electron boundary conditions in PIC plasma thruster plume simulations. (27th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Min; Merino, Mario; Ahedo, Eduardo; Tang, Haibin
• Is Part Of: Plasma sources science & technology. Volume 28:Number 3(2019:Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2019-03-27
• Subjects: electric space propulsion -- plasma plumes -- particle in cell -- simulation -- boundary conditions; Plasma (Ionized gases) -- Periodicals; 530.44
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/ab0949
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-0252

Abstract

Abstract: The collisionless, steady state expansion of a warm electron, cold ion plasma thruster plume into vacuum is studied with an electrostatic particle-in-cell model and globally-consistent boundary conditions that discriminate between reflected and escaping electrons. As a proof of concept, several simulations are analyzed. Results from both two-dimensional planar and axisymmetric plasma plumes are discussed. In particular, the electron anisothermal and anisotropic behavior in the plume is recovered.