High density plasma can be generated by electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) using whistler waves at densities for which the plasma frequency is much higher than the cyclotron frequency. This will result in a thruster operating at specific impulses of 103–104 s and much higher power and thrust densities than usual for ECRH devices. As the plasma generation is by electromagnetic waves, there are no electrodes, and wall material problems are greatly eased, permitting reliable, long lifetime operation. We report on the modeling of such a thruster, including plasma flow as well as losses to an end wall and ionization. A helical antenna to couple the waves into the plasma column is analyzed, including effects of the anisotropic plasma dielectric constant. An initial experiment to test the concept is planned.


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    Title :

    Whistler wave driven plasma thruster



    Conference:

    10th SymposiumùSpace Nuclear Power and Propulsion ; 1993 ; Albuquerque, NM, USA


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 271 , 3 ; 1419-1424


    Publication date :

    1993-01-20


    Size :

    6 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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