Qualitative spectroscopic study of magnetic nozzle flowThe physics of the magnetic nozzle flow for a 100-kW-level quasi-steady MPD thruster was studied by photographic spectroscopy focusing on the plasma model in the flow and the acceleration mechanism. Spectroscopic visualization for the flow-species analysis indicates that the plasma-exhaust flow dominated by NII species were confined by the magnetic nozzle effect to collimate the flow for the better thruster performance. Inside the nozzle, the plasma flow was found to be in nonhomogeneous collisional-radiative condition. There appears to be a substantial flow acceleration from the magnetic nozzle inlet to the outlet with slight expansion. This suggests that the flow resembles that of constant area supersonic duct flow with cooling.
Document ID
19920066160
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Umeki, T. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Turchi, P. J. (Ohio State University Columbus, United States)