We have developed a two-dimensional hybrid fluid - particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collisions (PIC- MCC) model to study the plume of a stationary plasma thruster. The model is based on a fluid description of the electrons (the electron density follows a Boltzmann distribution) and a particle description of the ion and neutral transport. Collisions between heavy species are taken into account with a Monte Carlo method. The electric field is obtained from Poisson's equation or from the quasineutrality assumption. We first show that the results from the PIC-MCC model are close to the results of a more time-consuming direct simulation Monte Carlo approach. We then compare the model predictions of the plume density and ion energy distribution with experimental measurements. Finally, we present a brief discussion on the assumptions of the model and on its ability to give reliable predictions on important issues such as the flux of ions backscattered to the satellite.


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    Title :

    Modeling of the plasma jet of a stationary plasma thruster


    Contributors:
    Garrigues, L. (author) / Bareilles, J. (author) / Boeuf, J.P. (author) / Boyd, I.D. (author)

    Published in:

    Journal of Applied Physics ; 91 , 12 ; 9521-9528


    Publication date :

    2002


    Size :

    8 Seiten, 20 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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