Maximizing Ion Current by Space Charge Neutralization using Negative Ions and Dust Particles

Technical Report · Tue Jan 25 04:00:00 EST 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/836621· OSTI ID:836621

Smirnov, A ^[1]; Raitses, Y; Fisch, N J

---

1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Ion current extracted from an ion source (ion thruster) can be increased above the Child-Langmuir limit if the ion space charge is neutralized. Similarly, the limiting kinetic energy density of the plasma flow in a Hall thruster might be exceeded if additional mechanisms of space charge neutralization are introduced. Space charge neutralization with high-mass negative ions or negatively charged dust particles seems, in principle, promising for the development of a high current or high energy density source of positive light ions. Several space charge neutralization schemes that employ heavy negatively charged particles are considered. It is shown that the proposed neutralization schemes can lead, at best, only to a moderate but nonetheless possibly important increase of the ion current in the ion thruster and the thrust density in the Hall thruster.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Lab., Princeton, NJ (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC) (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 836621
• Report Number(s): PPPL-4045
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ANIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DUSTS
DUSTY PLASMAS
ENERGY DENSITY
ION SOURCES
ION THRUSTERS
KINETIC ENERGY
LIGHT IONS
PLASMA
SPACE CHARGE
THRUSTERS