Principle Prototype Design For Ground Experiment Of Helicon Plasma Thruster

Helicon plasma is a high density and ionization rate low-temperature plasma and its number density reached the height of the order of 1018-1020/m3. In semi-conductor industry, helicon plasma is used to make the material deposit and etch processes. Helicon plasma is also being investigated for breaking down complex polluting species in waste abatement systems. Helicon plasma thruster(HPT) is a novel electromagnetic thruster, which is based on the current free double layer effect of the helicon plasma existing in the diverging magnetic field, accelerates the ions to form ion beam flow at a high speed, then produces thrust. Helicon plasma thruster as a kind of electrode-less, a high density and high specific impulse(up to 4000s) thruster is getting more attention from every space power.As an important part of the application of helicon plasma thruster, the principle prototype for ground experiment of HPT is significant. The author acquires information from current papers, summarizes and analyzes advanced technology overseas, then the author designed a principle prototype for ground experiment of helicon plasma thruster. The main research is as follows:(1) The author compared the advantages and disadvantages of the chemical and electric propulsion system, introduced the helicon plasma thruster, which is a new electric propulsion system. The electrode-less structure of HPT makes it have a long life. The author summarizes the research direction of some institutions to guide the following work.(2) The author analyzed the fundamental of helicon plasma thruster, introduced some key technologies of HPT(including RF antenna, discharge chamber etc.). Then the author analyzed the forming process of helicon plasma, and proposed several ion acceleration method. They are prepared for numerical simulation.(3) The author used PIC(particle in cell) to simulate the discharge area length. Obtaining the curve of electric potential and electron number density proves the existence of double layer effect. The result of numerical simulation has an important guiding role to the design of RF antenna.(4) According to the existing conditions, the author designed the radio frequency feed-in device, the RF antenna, the magnetic field device etc. These are used to set up principle prototype for ground experiment of helicon plasma thruster. Through the preliminary experiment, the author improved magnetic field system, and installed a Faraday shielded. Optimizing experiment project gained great agreement from domestic experts. (5) At last, the author summarized issues from experiment, and proposed several improvements:①installed a probe for plasma diagnosis;②Designed a new magnetic field device, which provided a more uniform magnetic field and eliminated magnetic mirror effect. Due to some objective condition, the above points merely are plans, and we will implement in the future research.