Abstract
Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulations are used to model the MS4 test thruster of Thales Deutschland. Given as input the geometric shape, material components, magnetic field and the operating parameters of the experiment, the model is able to reproduce the experimentally observed emission pattern in the plume. This is determined by the magnetic field line structure and the resulting plasma dynamics in the near-field region close to the exit.
Highlights
Ion thrusters become increasingly beneficial for space missions
The MS4 thruster is an ideal test candidate to validate PIC simulations, since most of the beam forming occurs outside the channel with good access for diagnostics
The experimentally observed radiation could be reproduced quite well by the simulation. This emission pattern is rather insensitive to operating parameters, SEE value for dielectrics and neutral plume density
Summary
Ion thrusters become increasingly beneficial for space missions. Their application is limited to Earth-centered orbits, but is especially useful in deep space missions, such as Deep Space 1 [1] and soon to be in the Psyche mission [2]. The PIC simulation domain contains the geometry of the MS4 thruster The transfer from the cylindrical (r,z) simulation to the experimental picture is FIGURE 9 | Optical emission measurement of the MS4 overlaid on the upper half with the Abel-transformed, simulated, total electron-Xenon excitation collision distribution. The total electron-Xenon excitation collisions in the PIC code is shown Abel-transformed in Figure 9 on top of the upper half of the symmetric picture taken from an experimental measurement of optical emission. This is especially true for the very bright, crescent-shaped region and the dark void at the thruster exit at large radii
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
