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Cited by 58Plasma Diagnostics and ApplicationsVacuum and Plasma ArcsIonosphere and magnetosphere dynamics

A collisionless plasma thruster plume expansion model

Open access
Merino, Mario, Cichocki, Filippo, Ahedo, Eduardo·2015·Plasma Sources Science and Technology
DOI 10.1088/0963-0252/24/3/035006
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Abstract

A two-fluid model of the unmagnetized, collisionless far region expansion of the plasma plume for gridded ion thrusters and Hall effect thrusters is presented. The model is integrated into two semi-analytical solutions valid in the hypersonic case. These solutions are discussed and compared against the results from the (exact) method of characteristics; the relative errors in density and velocity increase slowly axially and radially and are of the order of 10 −2 –10 −3 in the cases studied. The plasma density, ion flux and ambipolar electric field are investigated. A sensitivity analysis of the problem parameters and initial conditions is carried out in order to characterize the far plume divergence angle in the range of interest for space electric propulsion. A qualitative discussion of the physics of the secondary plasma plume is also provided.

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  • Simulation results are highly sensitive to the model used for neutral dynamics.

    “Simulation results are highly sensitive to the model used for neutral dynamics.”

    From Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms (2023) · cites this paper as [267]

    Section 5.1 reports that plume expansion differs appreciably with the assumed electron cooling rate, not with a model of neutral dynamics. Section 5.3 discusses neutrals and collisions but does not compare neutral-dynamics models or report that simulation results are highly sensitive to their choice. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.75)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Different numerical treatments of the neutrals change the spatio-temporal evolution of a Hall thruster discharge.

    “It has been recently 267,268 demonstrated that different numerical treatments of the neutrals change the spatio-temporal evolution of a HT discharge.”

    From Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms (2023) · cites this paper as [267]

    The Abstract describes a collisionless model of far-region plume expansion, not the evolution of a Hall thruster discharge. The Introduction and section 5.3 discuss how neutrals affect plume collisions, but do not compare numerical treatments of neutrals or report their effects on spatio-temporal discharge evolution. Searches for those terms found no passage addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.75)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Ion-wall recycling, neutral-wall reflection and energy accommodation coefficients and ion-neutral collisions cause a significant variation in the neutrals density and temperature maps.

    “Ion-wall recycling, neutral-wall reflection and energy accomodation coefficients and ion-neutral collisions cause a significant variation in the neutrals density and temperature maps.”

    From Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms (2023) · cites this paper as [267]

    Section 5.3 (page unavailable) discusses collisions affecting ion-plume divergence and estimates an initial neutral density, but does not report changes in neutral density or temperature maps. Searches for ion-wall recycling, neutral-wall reflection, energy accommodation, and ion-neutral effects on those maps found no passage addressing the claimed result. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

No references could be resolved yet.

Research works printed but not linked: 41

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Authors
Merino, M., Cichocki, F., & Ahedo, E.
Affiliations
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (ES)
Corresponding author
Merino, Mario
ORCID
Venue
Plasma Sources Science and Technology
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Published
2015-04-30
Volume
24
Issue
3
Pages
035006
ISSN
  • 0963-0252 (ISSN-L)
  • 1361-6595
DOI
10.1088/0963-0252/24/3/035006
OpenAlex
W2129094287
Cited by
58
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1
FWCI
2.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Plasma Sources Science and Technology (publishedVersion)
  • LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • e-Archivo (Carlos III University of Madrid) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • European Research Council (607457)
  • Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (ESP2013-41052-P)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Plasma Diagnostics and Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Vacuum and Plasma Arcs
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
Keywords
collisionless plasma, two-fluid model, gridded ion thrusters, Hall thruster, method of characteristics, semi-analytical solution, ambipolar electric field, ion flux

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