Ion magnetization in strong magnetic fields in an electrostatic–magnetic hybrid thruster
Abstract
An electrostatic–electromagnetic hybrid thruster equipped with a superconducting magnet generating magnetic fields up to 1.13 T was experimentally characterized, focusing on ion magnetization as a novel phenomenon in electric propulsion. Magnetic fields above 0.65 T reduced ion Larmor radii, decreasing wall losses and improving beam utilization. At lower fields (0.44 T or less), multi-ionization also reduced ion Larmor radii. Thrust efficiency reached nearly 25% at two distinct peaks: 1.13 T and 0.44 T. At 1.13 T, high mass flow rates produced a high thrust-to-power ratio due to low discharge current, limited electron cross field transport, and improved beam utilization. At 0.44 T, low mass flow rates resulted in high-specific impulse, enhanced by multiply charged ions. These results demonstrate the potential for dual-mode operation combining high thrust and high-specific impulse.
Article Details
Journal Info
Applied Physics Letters
American Institute of Physics
Authors (11)
Ryoyu Mori
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Nagoya University 1 , Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603,
Chris Acheson
Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington 2 , Gracefield, Lower Hutt 5010,
Daisuke Ichihara
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Nagoya University 1 , Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603,
Ryota Nakano
Daiki Maeshima
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Nagoya University 1 , Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603,
Ryohei Takagi
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Nagoya University 1 , Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603,
Jakub Glowacki
Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington 2 , Gracefield, Lower Hutt 5010,
Cameron Shellard
Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington 2 , Gracefield, Lower Hutt 5010,
Max Goddard-Winchester
Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington 2 , Gracefield, Lower Hutt 5010,
Randy Pollock
Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington 2 , Gracefield, Lower Hutt 5010,
Kiyoshi Kinefuchi
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Nagoya University 1 , Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603,