Eur. Phys. J. D (2015) 69: 145
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2015-50571-4

Regular Article

Simulations on the influence of the spatial distribution of source electrons on the plasma in a cusped-field thruster

¹ DLR, Institute of Space Systems, Robert-Hooke-Str. 7, 28359 Bremen, Germany
² Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 24098 Kiel, Germany
³ ZARM, University of Bremen, Am Fallturm, 28359 Bremen, Germany
⁴ Airbus Defence and Space, Claude-Dornierstraße 1, 88090 Immenstaad, Germany

^a e-mail: tim.brandt@dlr.de

Received: 31 July 2014
Received in final form: 16 March 2015
Published online: 4 June 2015

Abstract

We present results from simulations on the influence of source electrons on the plasma properties in a magnetic cusps environment. Our simulations are based on the VSim/Vorpal particle-in-cell plasma simulation package. Magnetic cusps are a typical feature of High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thrusters (HEMPTs). This research is part of an effort to downscale a HEMPT to thrust levels in the μN and sub-μN regime. The aim is to fulfill the requirements of upcoming formation flight satellites and probes. Those missions demand very precise attitude control. In order to get the necessary insight, the plasma of a section of the HEMPT discharge chamber is simulated with idealized boundary conditions. The results for such a section at two different distributions of source electrons are shown. A significant increase of the overall ion number is recognized for one of the distributions. Comparisons with published similar simulations are made. Factors that should be important for improvements of this thruster type are highlighted.