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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Spatial profile of argon (1s 5 ) metastables in an electron beam generated plasma

Electron beams with an applied magnetic field generate a secondary cold plasma with a selective chemical composition, featuring low-energy ions and metastable species in the discharge periphery, ideal for low-damage plasma treatment of material substrates. In this work, we studied the plasma generated by an e-beam using a 4 kV voltage in a pure argon gas environment under a magnetic field of 150 G and in the pressure range of 25–90 mTorr. We measured the absolute spatial density profile of argon (1 s 5 ) metastables in an electron beam generated plasma by laser-induced fluorescence and found it to be of the order of 10 16 m −3 . The electron temperature and the electron density measured by a Langmuir probe were of the order of 10 16 m −3 and less than an eV respectively. Electron-impact quenching was identified as a significant loss mechanism for the Ar(1s 5 ) state, leading to the saturation of the metastable density at higher pressures. Outside the primary ionization region, the spatial distribution of argon metastables followed a linear diffusion profile, indicating negligible additional production in those regions.

EEDF↗
NASA NTRS1988

A study of single and binary ion plasma expansion into laboratory-generated plasma wakes

Plasma expansion into the wake of a large rectangular plate immersed in a collisionless, supersonic plasma was investigated in laboratory experiments. The experimental conditions address both single ion and binary ion plasma flows for the case of a body whose size is large in comparison with the Debye length, when the potential difference between the body and the plasma is relatively small. A new plasma source was developed to generate equi-velocity, binary ion plasma flows, which allows access to new parameter space that have previously been unavailable for laboratory studies. Specifically, the new parameters are the ionic mass ratio and the ionic component density ratio. In a series of experiments, a krypton-neon plasma is employed where the ambient density ratio of neon to krypton is varied more than an order of magnitude. The expansion in both the single ion and binary ion plasma cases is limited to early times, i.e., a few ion plasma periods, by the combination of plasma density, plasma drift speed, and vacuum chamber size, which prevented detailed comparison with self-similar theory.

Wright, Kenneth Herbert, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

High frequency plasma generator for ion thrusters

The results of a program to experimentally develop two new types of plasma generators for 30 cm electrostatic argon ion thrusters are presented. The two plasma generating methods selected for this study were by radio frequency induction (RFI), operating at an input power frequency of 1 MHz, and by electron cyclotron heating (ECH) at an operating frequency of 5.0 GHz. Both of these generators utilize multiline cusp permanent magnet configurations for plasma confinement and beam profile optimization. The program goals were to develop a plasma generator possessing the characteristics of high electrical efficiency (low eV/ion) and simplicity of operation while maintaining the reliability and durability of the conventional hollow cathode plasma sources. The RFI plasma generator has achieved minimum discharge losses of 120 eV/ion while the ECH generator has obtained 145 eV/ion, assuming a 90% ion optical transparency of the electrostatic acceleration system. Details of experimental tests with a variety of magnet configurations are presented.

Goede, H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Analysis of plasmas generated by fission fragments

A kinetic model is developed for a plasma generated by fission fragments and the results are employed to study helium plasma generated in a tube coated with fissionable material. Because both the heavy particles and electrons play important roles in creating the plasma, their effects are considered simultaneously. The calculations are carried out for a range of neutron fluxes and pressures. In general, the predictions of the theory are in good agreement with available intensity measurements. Moreover, the theory predicts the experimentally measured inversions. However, the calculated gain coefficients are such that lasing is not expected to take place in a helium plasma generated by fission fragments. The effects of an externally applied electric field are also considered.

Deese, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Pulsed metallic-plasma generators.

A pulsed metallic-plasma generator is described which utilizes a vacuum arc as the plasma source. The arc is initiated on the surface of a consumable cathode which can be any electrically conductive material. Ignition is accomplished by using a current pulse to vaporize a portion of a conductive film on the surface of an insulator separating the cathode from the ignition electrode. The film is regenerated during the ensuing arc. Over 100 million ignition cycles have been accomplished by using four 0.125-in. diameter zinc cathodes operating in parallel and high-density aluminum-oxide insulators. Among the applications being investigated for the generator are metal deposition, vacuum pumping, electric propulsion, and high-power dc arc interruption.

Gilmour, A. S., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

30-cm electron cyclotron plasma generator

Experimental results on the development of a 30-cm-diam electron cyclotron resonance plasma generator are presented. This plasma source utilizes samarium-cobalt magnets and microwave power at a frequency of 4.9 GHz to produce a uniform plasma with densities of up to 3 x 10 to the 11th/cu cm in a continuous fashion. The plasma generator contains no internal structures, and is thus inherently simple in construction and operation and inherently durable. The generator was operated with two different magnetic geometries. One used the rare-earth magnets arranged in an axial line cusp configuration, which directly showed plasma production taking place near the walls of the generator where the electron temperature was highest but with the plasma density peaking in the central low B-field regions. The second configuration had magnets arranged to form azimuthal line cusps with approximately closed electron drift surfaces; this configuration showed an improved electrical efficiency of about 135 eV/ion.

Goede, Hank↗
NASA NTRS2024

Space Rated High Voltage Plasma Generating Supply

The use of plasma for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) applications (such as water treatment, acid production, plant seed activation, biofilm sanitization, or waste gasification) is an active area of research at the KSC Applied Chemistry Lab (ACL). The generation of plasma for experimentation has thus far been done with lab-rated power supplies which are unsuitable for space applications, and no suitable supply is readily available for purchase. This project tackled the development of a low TRL prototype 500 W power supply intended for generating plasma in space. The design was based on similar power electronic circuits used for electric propulsion systems and was adapted for use in ISRU applications. This technology will enable KSC’s plasma-based ISRU related technologies to be demonstrated in the space environment.

Nathaniel Cain↗
NASA NTRS1976

A research program in magnetogasdynamics utilizing hypervelocity coaxial plasma generators

A broadly-gauged research program in magnetogasdynamics utilizing hypervelocity coaxial plasma generators is presented. A complete hypervelocity coaxial plasma generator facility was assembled and tested. Significant progress was made in the direction of understanding the important processes in the interaction of hypervelocity MGD flow with transverse applied fields. It is now proposed to utilize the accumulated experimental capability and theoretical analysis in application to the analysis and design parameterization of pulsed magnetogasdynamic direct energy convertor configurations.

Spight, C.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Modeling magnetic confinement of laser-generated plasma in cylindrical geometry leading to disk-shaped structures

Radiation-magnetohydrodynamic simulations were able to reproduce features of the plasma structures observed in recent experiments1, where a laser was used to ablate plasma in a 3 MG magnetic field. The laser ablates the plasma, and localized structures are formed due to the inhibition of heat flow by the magnetic field. The large magnetic pressures cause the plasma to pinch. In an azimuthal fi eld, a disc-shaped plasma is generated. According to simulations, the disc has electron densities that are underdense to the laser, ranging from 10 18 to 10 19 cm -3 , and electron temperatures in the 300 to 1000 eV range during its evolution, similar to experimental data.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1985

A study of plasma expansion phenomena in laboratory generated plasma wakes - Preliminary results

The plasma expansion into the wake of a large rectangular plate immersed in a single-ion, collisionless, streaming plasma has been investigated in the laboratory. Several characteristics of the process involved in 'plasma expansion into vacuum' that have been predicted theoretically were observed, including the creation and motion of a rarefaction wave disturbance; the creation and motion of an expansion front; and the acceleration of ions into the wake at speeds above the ion-acoustic speed. The expansion was limited to early times; i.e., a few ion plasma periods, by the combination of plasma drift speed and vacuum chamber size. This prevented detailed comparison with self-similar theory, but results are in good agreement with numerical simulations and other laboratory experiments for the early time expansion. The conclusion is that the plasma expansion process is the dominant wake filling mechanism in the near wake of a body, whose potential is approximately the plasma space potential.

Wright, K. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Frequency up-conversion of a high-power microwave pulse propagating in a self-generated plasma

In the study of the propagation of a high-power microwave pulse, one of the main concerns is how to minimize the energy loss of the pulse before reaching the destination. A frequency autoconversion process that can lead to reflectionless propagation of powerful electromagnetic pulses in self-generated plasmas is studied. The theory shows that, under the proper condition, the carrier frequency omega of the pulse shifts upward during the growth of local plasma frequency omega(pe). Thus, the self-generated plasma remains underdense to the pulse. A chamber experiment to demonstrate the frequency autoconversion during the pulse propagation through the self-generated plasma is conducted. The detected frequency shift is compared with the theoretical result calculated by using the measured electron density distribution along the propagation path of the pulse. Good agreement is obtained.

Kuo, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Slot-Antenna/Permanent-Magnet Device for Generating Plasma

A device that includes a rectangular-waveguide/slot-antenna structure and permanent magnets has been devised as a means of generating a substantially uniform plasma over a relatively large area, using relatively low input power and a low gas flow rate. The device utilizes electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) excited by microwave power to efficiently generate plasma in a manner that is completely electrodeless in the sense that, in principle, there is no electrical contact between the plasma and the antenna. Plasmas generated by devices like this one are suitable for use as sources of ions and/or electrons for diverse material-processing applications (e.g., etching or deposition) and for ion thrusters. The absence of plasma/electrode contact essentially prevents plasma-induced erosion of the antenna, thereby also helping to minimize contamination of the plasma and of objects exposed to the plasma. Consequently, the operational lifetime of the rectangular-waveguide/ slot-antenna structure is long and the lifetime of the plasma source is limited by the lifetime of the associated charged-particle-extraction grid (if used) or the lifetime of the microwave power source. The device includes a series of matched radiating slot pairs that are distributed along the length of a plasma-source discharge chamber (see figure). This arrangement enables the production of plasma in a distributed fashion, thereby giving rise to a uniform plasma profile. A uniform plasma profile is necessary for uniformity in any electron- or ion-extraction electrostatic optics. The slotted configuration of the waveguide/ antenna structure makes the device scalable to larger areas and higher powers. All that is needed for scaling up is the attachment of additional matched radiating slots along the length of the discharge chamber. If it is desired to make the power per slot remain constant in scaling up, then the input microwave power must be increased accordingly. Unlike in prior ECR microwave plasma-generating devices, there is no need for an insulating window on the antenna. Such windows are sources of contamination and gradually become ineffective as they become coated with erosion products over time. These characteristics relegate prior ECR microwave plasma-generating devices to non-ion beam, non-deposition plasma applications. In contrast, the lack of need for an insulating window in the present device makes it possible to use the device in both ion-beam (including deposition) and electron-beam applications. The device is designed so that ECR takes place above each slot and the gradient of the magnetic field at each slot is enough to prevent backflow of plasma.

Foster, John E.↗