What is it about?
We present a breakdown of the various power components in applied-field MPD thrusters. These are: (1) plasma heating, (2) directed kinetic power (thrust) and (3) power deposition in the electrode sheaths. To construct the model we use measured voltage-current curves obtained from Princeton's lithium applied-field MPD thruster. In particular we investigate the effect of applied magnetic field on the power division in the thruster.
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Why is it important?
It is the first time a power division model is offered for applied-field MPD thrusters where the dependence on applied magnetic field is characterized and explained.
Perspectives
This publication not only deals with power deposition or efficiency, it also explains some of the most basic physical mechanisms inside the thruster. Including the main thrust components: (1) gas dynamic, (2) applied-field and (3) self-field.
Dr. Dan R Lev
Technion Israel Institute of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Scaling of Efficiency with Applied Magnetic Field in Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters, Journal of Propulsion and Power, May 2012, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/1.58500.
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