Modelling of capillary capacitively coupled radio frequency thruster

Computational fluid dynamics plasma simulations of a capillary capacitively coupled radio frequency thruster discharge with front powered electrode was performed. Good agreement with experimental results was obtained for the global parameters of the thruster. The spatial characteristics of the discharge were analyzed. DC bias is found to develop in accordance with classical theory of asymmetric capacitive discharge. The electrons temperature in the plasma bulk is similar to 2 eV and increasing the sheath near the powered electrode to similar to 6 eV. The plasma density is 10(19) m(-3) whereas excited argon species are 10(20) m(-3). The thrust can be completely attributed to gas dynamic acceleration.

Automated summary

Computational fluid dynamics simulations were used to study the discharge of a capillary capacitively coupled radio frequency thruster with a front powered electrode. The results showed good agreement with experimental data, and the spatial characteristics of the discharge were analyzed, revealing that the thrust is completely attributed to gas dynamic acceleration.