PIC Simulations of the MS4 Thruster

Lars Lewerentz; Daniel Kahnfeld; Niklas Schulz; Ralf Heidemann; Ralf Schneider

doi:10.3389/fphy.2022.833159

Frontiers in Physics (Feb 2022)

PIC Simulations of the MS4 Thruster

Lars Lewerentz,
Daniel Kahnfeld,
Niklas Schulz,
Ralf Heidemann,
Ralf Schneider

Affiliations

Lars Lewerentz: Institute of Physics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
Daniel Kahnfeld: Institute of Physics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
Niklas Schulz: Institute of Physics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
Ralf Heidemann: Plasma Devices, Thales Deutschland GmbH, Ulm, Germany
Ralf Schneider: Institute of Physics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2022.833159
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulations are used to model the MS4 test thruster of Thales Deutschland. Given as input the geometric shape, material components, magnetic field and the operating parameters of the experiment, the model is able to reproduce the experimentally observed emission pattern in the plume. This is determined by the magnetic field line structure and the resulting plasma dynamics in the near-field region close to the exit.

Published in Frontiers in Physics

ISSN: 2296-424X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Physics
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physics

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