Influence of the applied magnetic field strength on flow collimation in magnetic nozzles

Justin M. Little, Edgar Y. Choueiriy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The influence of the magnetic field strength on the collimation of the plasma flow in an electron-driven magnetic nozzle is investigated experimentally. A collimated plasma flow is required for effcient plasma propulsion to minimize plume divergence losses. Faraday probe measurements are used to estimate the ion streamlines in the diverging field of the magnetic nozzle. It is found that decreasing the strength of the applied magnetic field invokes a transition from a collimated plume to an under-collimated plume, where an under-collimated plume is defined such that the plume divergence is greater than the magnetic field divergence. Langmuir and emissive probe measurements reveal that the transition to an under-collimated plume is accompanied by anomalous deceleration of the ion beam along the nozzle centerline, broadening of the transverse density profile, and the disappearance of an ion-confining potential well at the plasma periphery. This transition offers a guideline for reducing the plume divergence of an electron-driven magnetic nozzle.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication50th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference 2014
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781624103032
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event50th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and exhibit 2014 - Cleveland, United States
Duration: Jul 28 2014Jul 30 2014

Publication series

Name50th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference 2014

Other

Other50th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and exhibit 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCleveland
Period7/28/147/30/14

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

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