The influence of laser coupling on the discharge and thrust characteristics of pulsed plasma thrusters

Rui Zhang; Dongjin He; Jianbo Zhou

doi:10.1117/12.3040051

16 August 2024 The influence of laser coupling on the discharge and thrust characteristics of pulsed plasma thrusters

Rui Zhang, Dongjin He, Jianbo Zhou

Proceedings Volume 13231, 4th International Conference on Laser, Optics, and Optoelectronic Technology (LOPET 2024); 1323125 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3040051
Event: 4th International Conference on Laser, Optics, and Optoelectronic Technology (LOPET 2024), 2024, Chongqing, China

Abstract

Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (APPTs) are constrained by the limitations of propellant material and supply methods, which result in low system efficiency and propellant utilisation rates. Notably, the spark plug, which serves as the inductive plasma source for the main discharge, consumes energy that does not effectively contribute to the thruster's impulse and also impacts the operational lifespan of the thruster. This study aims to explore effective methods to improve the performance of the thruster system through laser coupling, this study experimentally investigated the performance of a laser-EM coupled pulsed plasma thruster using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and aluminium as propellants under various energy conditions. A comparative analysis with the performance of a conventional APPT revealed that the laserEM coupled APPT can utilize propellants, including metallic materials, and the ablation of the propellant can be precisely controlled by the laser. Under the same initial energy conditions, although the single pulse ablation mass is reduced, the system specific impulse and efficiency are significantly enhanced.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Rui Zhang, Dongjin He, and Jianbo Zhou "The influence of laser coupling on the discharge and thrust characteristics of pulsed plasma thrusters", Proc. SPIE 13231, 4th International Conference on Laser, Optics, and Optoelectronic Technology (LOPET 2024), 1323125 (16 August 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3040051

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KEYWORDS

Plasma

Pulsed laser operation

Laser ablation

Ablation

Aluminum

Electrodes

Capacitors

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