PIC computer studies of plasma wave instabilities in the exhaust plume of the VASIMR propulsion engine

My proposed research project is devoted to Particle-in-cell (PIC) computer simulations to study the plasma waves instabilities in the exhaust plume of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) device. VASIMR is a type of electric propulsion plasma device, using the plasma as propellant, potentially for a long-term space mission with a much higher specific impulse than traditional chemical rocket.
Using a 2D3V PIC code and a VSim frameworks, the analysis of different instabilities present in this plasma device will be performed and compared with previous results. The focus will be on identifying the presence of instabilities in conditions of this device, study of the plasma instabilities mechanisms and its effects on performance of the device, and parametric studies of the role of different external parameters.

Faculty Supervisor:

Andrei Smolyakov

Student:

Partner:

University of Houston

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Aerospace; Technology; Other

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: