Pulsed-inductive thruster

Author

Wessel, Frank J. ; Bolte, N. ; Kiyashko, V. ; Morehouse, M. ; Roche, T. ; Slepchenkov, M.

Author_Institution

Tri Alpha Energy, Inc., Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

fYear

2013

fDate

16-21 June 2013

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

6

Abstract

A new set of pulsed-inductive thrusters (PITs) have been developed for the Flux-Coil-Generated, Field-Reversed Configuration Experiment (FCX) at Tri Alpha Energy, Inc. This paper details their design, simulation, and measured performance. The simulation solves coupled equations for the circuit currents and plasma parameters, including formation and acceleration. The PIT design involves: 5 pulsed-gas valves, a 2-stage Marx generator capacitor bank, a low-inductance parallel-plate transmission line, and a high-current & voltage vacuum feedthrough. The power source provides a 2.5 μs, 1/4-period rise time and 1 Ω impedance. Measurements 1-m downstream from the PIT indicate: n = 10¹²-10¹⁴ cm^-3, temperature, T_i = 25-40 eV, and plasma-energy content, E_p = 20-30 J, which are adequate for the FCX.

Keywords

capacitors; plasma accelerators; plasma diagnostics; plasma simulation; plasma sources; pulse generators; transmission lines; PIT design performance; circuit current; distance 1 m; electron volt energy 25 eV to 40 eV; energy 20 J to 30 J; field-reversed configuration experiment; flux-coil-generation; high-current vacuum feedthrough; high-voltage vacuum feedthrough; low-inductance parallel-plate transmission line; plasma acceleration; plasma energy content; plasma formation; plasma measurement performance; plasma parameter; plasma simulation performance; power source; pulsed-gas valve; pulsed-inductive thruster; time 2.5 mus; two-stage Marx generator capacitor bank; Acceleration; Coils; Mathematical model; Plasma measurements; Plasma temperature; Temperature measurement; plasma accelerator; plasma source;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Pulsed Power Conference (PPC), 2013 19th IEEE

Conference_Location

San Francisco, CA

ISSN

2158-4915

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PPC.2013.6627441

Filename

6627441