Investigation of stabilized resonant cavity microwave plasmas for propulsion

Philip Balaam; Michael M. Micci

doi:10.2514/3.23932

Investigation of stabilized resonant cavity microwave plasmas for propulsion

Philip Balaam, Michael M. Micci

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Results are presented for the performance of a microwave electrothermal thruster utilizing bluff-body and swirling flow stabilized plasmas with helium and nitrogen propellent. Stabilized plasmas have been produced in the TM01, electromagnetic cavity mode with coupling efficiencies approaching 100% and specific powers up to 27.3 MJ/kg. Fluid dynamic measurements indicate specific impulses of up to 543 s, efficiencies of 44-69%, and thrusts of 0.27—0.40 N with helium propellant. Spectroscopic results indicate plasma core electron temperatures of 11, 840-12, 170 K with extremely flat radial profiles.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1021-1027
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Propulsion and Power
Volume	11
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2514/3.23932
State	Published - Sep 1995

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Aerospace Engineering
Fuel Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Space and Planetary Science

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10.2514/3.23932

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title = "Investigation of stabilized resonant cavity microwave plasmas for propulsion",

abstract = "Results are presented for the performance of a microwave electrothermal thruster utilizing bluff-body and swirling flow stabilized plasmas with helium and nitrogen propellent. Stabilized plasmas have been produced in the TM01, electromagnetic cavity mode with coupling efficiencies approaching 100% and specific powers up to 27.3 MJ/kg. Fluid dynamic measurements indicate specific impulses of up to 543 s, efficiencies of 44-69%, and thrusts of 0.27—0.40 N with helium propellant. Spectroscopic results indicate plasma core electron temperatures of 11, 840-12, 170 K with extremely flat radial profiles.",

author = "Philip Balaam and Micci, {Michael M.}",

note = "Funding Information: This work was sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Grant AFOSR-89-0312.",

year = "1995",

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doi = "10.2514/3.23932",

language = "English (US)",

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T1 - Investigation of stabilized resonant cavity microwave plasmas for propulsion

AU - Balaam, Philip

AU - Micci, Michael M.

N1 - Funding Information: This work was sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Grant AFOSR-89-0312.

PY - 1995/9

Y1 - 1995/9

N2 - Results are presented for the performance of a microwave electrothermal thruster utilizing bluff-body and swirling flow stabilized plasmas with helium and nitrogen propellent. Stabilized plasmas have been produced in the TM01, electromagnetic cavity mode with coupling efficiencies approaching 100% and specific powers up to 27.3 MJ/kg. Fluid dynamic measurements indicate specific impulses of up to 543 s, efficiencies of 44-69%, and thrusts of 0.27—0.40 N with helium propellant. Spectroscopic results indicate plasma core electron temperatures of 11, 840-12, 170 K with extremely flat radial profiles.

AB - Results are presented for the performance of a microwave electrothermal thruster utilizing bluff-body and swirling flow stabilized plasmas with helium and nitrogen propellent. Stabilized plasmas have been produced in the TM01, electromagnetic cavity mode with coupling efficiencies approaching 100% and specific powers up to 27.3 MJ/kg. Fluid dynamic measurements indicate specific impulses of up to 543 s, efficiencies of 44-69%, and thrusts of 0.27—0.40 N with helium propellant. Spectroscopic results indicate plasma core electron temperatures of 11, 840-12, 170 K with extremely flat radial profiles.

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JF - Journal of Propulsion and Power

IS - 5

ER -

Investigation of stabilized resonant cavity microwave plasmas for propulsion

Abstract

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