Topic
Ion thruster
About: Ion thruster is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3696 publications have been published within this topic receiving 40296 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
More filters
22 Oct 2008
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce the concept of Hall Thrusters and Hall-Thrusters as a way of transferring force from one particle to another in the form of force transfer.
Abstract: 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..
1,294 citations
TL;DR: Investigations into a new mode of ion propulsion within an RF ion guide based on a stack of ring electrodes, produced by superimposing a voltage pulse on the confining RF of an electrode and then moving the pulse to an adjacent electrode and so on along the guide to provide a travelling voltage wave on which the ions can surf are reported.
Abstract: The use of radio-frequency (RF)-only ion guides for efficient transport of ions through regions of a mass spectrometer where the background gas pressure is relatively high is widespread in present instrumentation. Whilst multiple collisions between ions and the background gas can be beneficial, for example in inducing fragmentation and/or decreasing the spread in ion energies, the resultant reduction of ion axial velocity can be detrimental in modes of operation where a rapidly changing influx of ions to the gas-filled ion guide needs to be reproduced at the exit. In general, the RF-only ion guides presently in use are based on multipole rod sets. Here we report investigations into a new mode of ion propulsion within an RF ion guide based on a stack of ring electrodes. Ion propulsion is produced by superimposing a voltage pulse on the confining RF of an electrode and then moving the pulse to an adjacent electrode and so on along the guide to provide a travelling voltage wave on which the ions can surf. Through appropriate choice of the travelling wave pulse height, velocity and gas pressure it will be shown that the stacked ring ion guide with the travelling wave is effective as a collision cell in a tandem mass spectrometer where fast mass scanning or switching is required, as an ion mobility separator at pressures around 0.2 mbar, as an ion delivery device for enhancement of duty cycle on an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (oa-TOF) mass analyser, and as an ion fragmentation device at higher wave velocities.
681 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a simple model, based on a 1D transient hybrid treatment of electron and ion transport in the device, to provide reasonable estimates of the plasma properties and is able to give a clear picture of the low frequency oscillations.
Abstract: Stationary plasma thrusters are ion thrusters whose properties make them especially suitable for satellite station keeping or orbit transfer. In these thrusters, a magnetic field transverse to the electron flow towards the anode increases the electron collision frequency and makes possible the generation of a plasma at relatively low gas flow and gas density. The decrease of the plasma conductivity due to the magnetic field induces a large electric field in the plasma which accelerates the quasicollisionless ions whose trajectories are not significantly affected by the magnetic field. The purpose of this article is to clarify, using results from a simple model, the electrical properties of these thrusters and the low frequency oscillation regime which has been observed experimentally. The model is based on the assumption of quasineutrality of the plasma column and on a 1D transient hybrid treatment of electron and ion transport in the device. Electrons are considered as a fluid and ions are described with a collisionless kinetic equation. This model provides reasonable estimates of the plasma properties and is able to give a clear picture of the low frequency oscillations, qualitatively close to the experimental observations.
436 citations
TL;DR: Hall thrusters as discussed by the authors are very efficient and competitive electric propulsion devices for satellites and are currently in use in a number of telecommunications and government spacecraft, with specific impulse values between 1000 and 3000's.
Abstract: Hall thrusters are very efficient and competitive electric propulsion devices for satellites and are currently in use in a number of telecommunications and government spacecraft. Their power spans from 100 W to 20 kW, with thrust between a few mN and 1 N and specific impulse values between 1000 and 3000 s. The basic idea of Hall thrusters consists in generating a large local electric field in a plasma by using a transverse magnetic field to reduce the electron conductivity. This electric field can extract positive ions from the plasma and accelerate them to high velocity without extracting grids, providing the thrust. These principles are simple in appearance but the physics of Hall thrusters is very intricate and non-linear because of the complex electron transport across the magnetic field and its coupling with the electric field and the neutral atom density. This paper describes the basic physics of Hall thrusters and gives a (non-exhaustive) summary of the research efforts that have been devoted to th...
326 citations
TL;DR: A review of plasma discharges applied to electric spacecraft propulsion can be found in this article, where the authors briefly report 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.
Abstract: 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.
308 citations