Note from the Series Editor. Foreword. Preface. Acknowledgments. Chapter 1: Introduction. 1.1 Electric Propulsion Background. 1.2 Electric Thruster Types. 1.3 Ion Thruster Geometry. 1.4 Hall Thruster Geometry. 1.5 Beam/Plume Characteristics. References. Chapter 2: Thruster Principles. 2.1 The Rocket Equation. 2.2 Force Transfer in Ion and Hall Thrusters. 2.3 Thrust. 2.4 Specific Impulse. 2.5 Thruster Efficiency. 2.6 Power Dissipation. 2.7 Neutral Densities and Ingestion in Electric Thrusters. References. Problems. Chapter 3: Basic Plasma Physics. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Maxwell's Equations. 3.3 Single Particle Motions. 3.4 particle Energies and Velocities. 3.5 Plasma as a Fluid. 3.6 Diffusion in Partially Ionized Gases. 3.7 Sheaths at the Boundaries of Plasmas. References. Problems. Chapter 4: Ion Thruster Plasma Generators. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Idealized Ion Thruster Plasma Generator. 4.3 DC Discharge Ion Thruster. 4.4 Kaufman Ion Thrusters. 4.5 rf Ion Thrusters. 4.6 Microwave Ion Thrusters. 4.7 2-D Computer Models of the Ion Thruster Discharge Chamber. References. Problems. Chapter 5: Ion Thruster Accelerator Grids. 5.1 Grid Configurations. 5.2 Ion Accelerator Basics. 5.3 Ion Optics. 5.4 Electron Backstreaming. 5.5 High-Voltage Considerations. 5.6 Ion Accelerator Grid Life. References. Problems. Chapter 6: Hollow Cathodes. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Cathode Configurations. 6.3 Thermionic Electron Emitter Characteristics. 6.4 Insert Region Plasma. 6.5 Orifice Region Plasma. 6.6 Hollow cathode Thermal Models. 6.7 Cathode Plume-Region Plasma. 6.8 Hollow Cathode Life. 6.9 Keeper Wear and Life. 6.10 Hollow Cathode Operation. References. Problems. Chapter 7: Hall Thrusters. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Thruster Operating Principles and Scaling. 7.3 Hall Thruster Performance Models. 7.4 Channel Physics and Numerical Modeling. 7.5 Hall Thruster Life. References. Problems. Chapter 8: Ion and Hall Thruster Plumes. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Plume Physics. 8.3 Plume Models. 8.4 Spacecraft Interactions. 8.5 Interactions with Payloads. References. Problems. Chapter 9: Flight Ion and Hall Thrusters. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Ion Thrusters. 9.3 Hall Thrusters. References. Appendices. A: Nomenclature. B: Gas Flow Unit Conversions and Cathode Pressure Estimates. C: Energy Loss by Electrons. D: Ionization and Excitation Cross Sections for Xenon. E: Ionization and Excitation Reaction Rates for Xenon in Maxwellian Plasmas. F: Electron Relaxation and Thermalization Times. G: Clausing Factor Monte Carlo Calculation. Index..

/pdf/fundamentals-of-electric-propulsion-ion-and-hall-thrusters-4zwus65dx4.pdf

Fundamentals of electric propulsion : ion and Hall thrusters

In the limit of a small Debye length ( lambda D to 0) the analysis of the plasma boundary layer leads to a two-scale problem of a collision free sheath and of a quasi-neutral presheath. Bohm's criterion expresses a necessary condition for the formation of a stationary sheath in front of a negative absorbing wall. The basic features of the plasma-sheath transition and their relation to the Bohm criterion are discussed and illustrated from a simple cold-ion fluid model. A rigorous kinetic analysis of the vicinity of the sheath edge allows one to generalize Bohm's criterion accounting not only for arbitrary ion and electron distributions, but also for general boundary conditions at the wall. It is shown that the generalized sheath condition is (apart from special exceptions) marginally fulfilled and related to a sheath edge field singularity. Due to this singularity, smooth matching of the presheath and sheath solutions requires an additional transition layer. Previous investigations concerning particular problems of the plasma-sheath transition are reviewed in the light of the general relations.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0022-3727/24/4/001/pdf

The Bohm criterion and sheath formation

This review presents the basics of plasma discharges applied to electric spacecraft propulsion. It briefly reports on the mature and flown technologies of gridded ion thrusters and Hall thrusters before exploring the recent yet immature technology of plasma thrusters based on expansion from low pressure high density inductively coupled and wave-excited plasma sources, e.g. the radiofrequency helicon source. Prototype development of plasma engines for future space travel is discussed using the example of the helicon double layer thruster. A summary of highlights in electric propulsion based space missions gives some insight into the challenges of future high power missions in more remote regions of space.

/pdf/plasmas-for-spacecraft-propulsion-4uknp98tfc.pdf

Plasmas for spacecraft propulsion

Recent developments in laboratory double layers from the late 1980s to the spring of 2007 are reviewed. The paper begins by a lead up to electric double layers in the laboratory. Then an overview of the main double layer devices and properties is presented with an emphasis on current-free double layers. Some of the double layer models and simulations are analysed before giving a more complete description of current-free double layers in radiofrequency plasmas expanding in a diverging magnetic field. Astrophysics double layers are briefly reported. Finally, applications of double layers to the field of plasma processing and electric propulsion are discussed.

/pdf/a-review-of-recent-laboratory-double-layer-experiments-42szwd0rkr.pdf

A review of recent laboratory double layer experiments

In the asymptotic limit /spl lambda//sub D//spl rarr/O (small Debye length) the boundary layer problem of a plasma is split up into the separate problems of a: quasineutral presheath and a collision free planar sheath. The formation of a stationary sheath requires that the ions fulfil a sheath condition ("Bohm criterion"). In this paper, the boundary layer problem of a multicomponent system is investigated. Both in the frames of a hydrodynamic and of a kinetic theory, a generalized sheath condition is derived accounting for various ion components and arbitrary electron- and ion distributions. It is shown that the sheath condition is usually fulfilled marginally (in the equality form) and provides a boundary condition for the plasma analysis. >

The Bohm criterion and boundary conditions for a multicomponent system

A model of a double sheath between two plasmas is presented in which reflected particles and the initial velocities of accelerated particles are considered. The model shows that, in addition to the voltage drop across the double sheath, the ions from the plasma sac acquire kinetic energy (comparable with the electron thermal energy) in a presheath region. The ratio of the ion and electron current densities can depart significantly from Langmuir's (M/M)k.

Theory of a double sheath between two plasmas

A theoretical treatment of the double sheath in a hot cathode low pressure discharge is presented. The current density of thermionically produced electrons is found to have an upper limit. The energy of ions entering the sheath from the plasma region is calculated, and the spatial structure of the double sheath is computed.

The double sheath associated with a hot cathode

The review is concerned with wave propagation in plasmas where collisions may be neglected. The relevant kinetic theory is described by the Vlasov equation. Waves in the absence of a magnetic field are reviewed including Landau damping of electron waves and ion acoustic waves. The complications due to purely ballistic effects are described and the latter case includes the study of mixtures of ions. Thermal motion has little effect on electromagnetic waves with the exception of the anomalous skin effect. Beam-plasma interactions are reviewed and general concepts of stability are discussed. The conversion of wave energy from one kind of wave and linear coupling mechanisms are described. The importance of resonance cones is also noted.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0034-4885/40/11/002/pdf

Waves and microinstabilities in plasmas-linear effects

Measurements are reported of the plasma density in a highly ionized, thermally produced plasma. A floating electrostatic sheath theory is presented, which predicts that the plasma density is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over the level which would be predicted in the absence of such a sheath. There is agreement between the measured variation of the plasma density as a function of temperature and the predicted behaviour.

J. E. Allen

Papers

Theory of a double sheath between two plasmas

The double sheath associated with a hot cathode

Theory of a double sheath between two plasmas

Waves and microinstabilities in plasmas-linear effects

A floating electrostatic sheath in a thermally produced plasma