Development of a 15-kW Class RF Plasma Source for VASIMR Type Space Propulsion with Magnetic Nozzle

• HOSHINO Yusuke

  Department of Electrical Engineering, Tohoku University

• ISHIYAMA Takayoshi

  Department of Electrical Engineering, Tohoku University

• KOMURO Atsushi

  Department of Electrical Engineering, Tohoku University

• TAKAHASHI Kazunori

  Department of Electrical Engineering, Tohoku University

• ANDO Akira

  Department of Electrical Engineering, Tohoku University

Abstract

A radiofrequency (RF) plasma source was developed for space propulsion using an FET based RF inverter power supply with a power of 15 kW. The operating frequency of the RF power supply was approximately 200 kHz. By adjusting the magnetic field strength near the RF antenna to around 10 mT, we achieved high density argon plasma on the order of 10¹⁹ m⁻³. The plasma passed through a region of strong magnetic field (approaching 1 T), provided by a pulsed capacitor bank for ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). The plasma radius was reduced by the converging magnetic field, and the high plasma density was retained in the downstream ICRH region.

Journal

• Plasma and Fusion Research

  Plasma and Fusion Research 10 (0), 3406052-3406052, 2015

  The Japan Society of Plasma Science and Nuclear Fusion Research

Keywords

• RF plasma
• plasma thruster
• VASIMR
• high density plasma
• FET inverter
• magnetic nozzle

Details

• CRID: 1390001205254478720
• NII Article ID: 130005311636
• DOI: 10.1585/pfr.10.3406052
• ISSN: 18806821
• Web Site: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/pfr/10/0/10_3406052/_pdf
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed