Electron-Cyclotron-Resonance Plasma Thruster Research

摘要

This report summarizes the results of a three year program devoted to theoreticaland experimental research on plasma acceleration by Electron-Cyclotron-Resonance (ECR). Theoretical work in the first year of this effort centered on simple analytical treatment of many of the phenomena which have a role in ECR plasma acceleration. These analytical studies pointed out which phenomena are sufficiently important to be incorporated in the more rigorous theoretical studies of years two and three and also provided vital guidance to the process of designing the experimental apparatus. An experimental facility was developed in the first year of this program so that an ECR research device could be tested. The JPL facility has the unique capability of providing up to 20 kW of S-band microwave power and 18,000 liters/second of high quality vacuum system pumping for the study of advanced microwave propulsion concepts.