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Nonlinear Effects in Single-Pass ICRF HeatingThe Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) concept employs Ion Cyclotron Resonant Frequency (ICRF) heating as the main power deposition mechanism. Since the ions accelerate to the full energy in a single pass through the cyclotron resonance, their response to the RF-field will be essentially nonlinear - hence the motivation to amend the commonly used linear approach to the problem. In a collisionless plasma, the energy gain of an accelerated ion is limited by the time the particle spends at the resonance. This time is affected by: (1) incident flow velocity, (2) longitudinal grad B force, (3) ambipolar electric field, and (4) ponderomotive force of the RF-field. Our analysis shows that the grad B force is the dominant factor at low to moderate levels of RF-power. We present nonlinear scaling for the energy gain and the absorption efficiency with RF-power and plasma parameters. We also demonstrate that the nonlinear regime exhibits a steep decrease in the plasma density at the resonance.
Document ID
20000094590
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Arefiev, A. V.
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX United States)
Breizman, B. N.
(Department of Energy Washington, DC United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1999
Subject Category
Space Processing
Meeting Information
Meeting: Plasma Propulsion Physics Mini Conference
Location: Seattle, WA
Country: United States
Start Date: November 15, 1999
End Date: November 19, 1999
Sponsors: American Physical Society
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG03-96ER-54346
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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