Proof-of-concept simulations of the magnetic null (MagNul) thruster

Matthew S. Feldman; Edgar Y. Choueiri

Proof-of-concept simulations of the magnetic null (MagNul) thruster

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Plasma behavior in an externally applied magnetic field reversal is numerically explored in order to demonstrate the existence of a self-consistent drift caused by the kinetic interaction of ions with the magnetic null. Single-particle analysis of ion trajectories is performed in the magnetic topology to predict expected ion particle and momentum fluxes out of the system. A particle-in-cell (PIC) code is used to simulate the actual fluxes out of the system for a set of magnetic field strengths from 0 to 800 G. The results of the simulations upheld the concept's presumed ability to accelerate plasma in a desired direction and demonstrated that single-particle analysis does not predict the exact particle and momentum fluxes out of the system but does predict the optimum magnetic field for our limited parameter space.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference
State	Published - 2013
Externally published	Yes
Event	49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference - San Jose, CA, United States Duration: Jul 14 2013 → Jul 17 2013

Publication series

Name	49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference

Other

Other	49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference
Country/Territory	United States
City	San Jose, CA
Period	7/14/13 → 7/17/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Aerospace Engineering
Control and Systems Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Cite this

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title = "Proof-of-concept simulations of the magnetic null (MagNul) thruster",

abstract = "Plasma behavior in an externally applied magnetic field reversal is numerically explored in order to demonstrate the existence of a self-consistent drift caused by the kinetic interaction of ions with the magnetic null. Single-particle analysis of ion trajectories is performed in the magnetic topology to predict expected ion particle and momentum fluxes out of the system. A particle-in-cell (PIC) code is used to simulate the actual fluxes out of the system for a set of magnetic field strengths from 0 to 800 G. The results of the simulations upheld the concept's presumed ability to accelerate plasma in a desired direction and demonstrated that single-particle analysis does not predict the exact particle and momentum fluxes out of the system but does predict the optimum magnetic field for our limited parameter space.",

author = "Feldman, {Matthew S.} and Choueiri, {Edgar Y.}",

year = "2013",

language = "English (US)",

isbn = "9781624102226",

series = "49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference",

booktitle = "49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference",

note = "49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference ; Conference date: 14-07-2013 Through 17-07-2013",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - Proof-of-concept simulations of the magnetic null (MagNul) thruster

AU - Feldman, Matthew S.

AU - Choueiri, Edgar Y.

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - Plasma behavior in an externally applied magnetic field reversal is numerically explored in order to demonstrate the existence of a self-consistent drift caused by the kinetic interaction of ions with the magnetic null. Single-particle analysis of ion trajectories is performed in the magnetic topology to predict expected ion particle and momentum fluxes out of the system. A particle-in-cell (PIC) code is used to simulate the actual fluxes out of the system for a set of magnetic field strengths from 0 to 800 G. The results of the simulations upheld the concept's presumed ability to accelerate plasma in a desired direction and demonstrated that single-particle analysis does not predict the exact particle and momentum fluxes out of the system but does predict the optimum magnetic field for our limited parameter space.

AB - Plasma behavior in an externally applied magnetic field reversal is numerically explored in order to demonstrate the existence of a self-consistent drift caused by the kinetic interaction of ions with the magnetic null. Single-particle analysis of ion trajectories is performed in the magnetic topology to predict expected ion particle and momentum fluxes out of the system. A particle-in-cell (PIC) code is used to simulate the actual fluxes out of the system for a set of magnetic field strengths from 0 to 800 G. The results of the simulations upheld the concept's presumed ability to accelerate plasma in a desired direction and demonstrated that single-particle analysis does not predict the exact particle and momentum fluxes out of the system but does predict the optimum magnetic field for our limited parameter space.

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M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:84883723331

SN - 9781624102226

T3 - 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference

BT - 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference

T2 - 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference

Y2 - 14 July 2013 through 17 July 2013

ER -

Proof-of-concept simulations of the magnetic null (MagNul) thruster

Abstract

Publication series

Other

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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