Numerical simulation of microwave-sustained supersonic plasmas for application to space propulsion
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abstract
The concept of adding energy to an expanding supersonic flow using a microwave-sustained plasma is explored numerically by solving the complete system of both the Maxwell equations and the Navier Stokes equations for the case of an argon flow in a realistic thruster geometry. Results show that when an additional amount of power, equal to 45 % of the power deposited in the plenum, is added to the supersonic flow a toroidal plasma forms, but only a 3 % increase in specific impulse is achieved. It is concluded that future work relating to this concept should concentrate on finding ways to confine the plasma to the centerline.
