Scholarlink

<p>We investigated a RIT-10 ion thruster and a radio-frequency neutralizer using molecular oxygen, molecular nitrogen and mixtures of both gases as propellants to assess their suitability as components for an air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system. A combination of diagnostics - including Langmuir probes, optical emission spectroscopy (OES), Faraday cups, retarding potential analyzers (RPA), mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy - was used to characterize the plasma parameters, plume properties and material contamination. A comparison was made between the experimental results for the single gases and a corresponding global model. Our results show that the dissociation of the molecules and chemical reactions taking place in the plasma have a significant impact on the performance of both tested devices and thus need to be assessed for all operating points. Chemical reactions between oxygen and different material surfaces are identified and safe operating points established. A general optimization strategy to improve the performance of both devices is suggested - an essential requirement for successful missions using ABEP systems. The findings provide critical insight into material suitability and operational regimes for ABEP systems. An optimization based on an in-depth understanding of all parameters involved is only possible by combining multiple diagnostic tools and global modeling.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Characterization of the performance of a RIT-10 and rf-neutralizer for an ABEP system

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月12日

查看全文
  • Jana Zorn,
  • Kalle J. Bräumer,
  • Rodrigo S. Rodriguez,
  • Andreas R. Wölki,
  • Konstantin Keil,
  • Anna Komjagin,
  • Fiene B. Bremer,
  • Aaron Hellbert,
  • Mathis Reuß-Hennschen,
  • Arnold Kaufmann,
  • Johannes Krempel-Hesse,
  • Limei Chen,
  • Kristof Holste,
  • Peter J. Klar

摘要

We investigated a RIT-10 ion thruster and a radio-frequency neutralizer using molecular oxygen, molecular nitrogen and mixtures of both gases as propellants to assess their suitability as components for an air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system. A combination of diagnostics - including Langmuir probes, optical emission spectroscopy (OES), Faraday cups, retarding potential analyzers (RPA), mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy - was used to characterize the plasma parameters, plume properties and material contamination. A comparison was made between the experimental results for the single gases and a corresponding global model. Our results show that the dissociation of the molecules and chemical reactions taking place in the plasma have a significant impact on the performance of both tested devices and thus need to be assessed for all operating points. Chemical reactions between oxygen and different material surfaces are identified and safe operating points established. A general optimization strategy to improve the performance of both devices is suggested - an essential requirement for successful missions using ABEP systems. The findings provide critical insight into material suitability and operational regimes for ABEP systems. An optimization based on an in-depth understanding of all parameters involved is only possible by combining multiple diagnostic tools and global modeling.