Title:

Faraday Acceleration with Radio-frequency Assisted Discharge (Journal Version)

Author:

Edgar Y. Choueiri and Kurt Polzin (EPPDyL), Princeton University


Document type:

Accepted for Publication in the Journal of Propulsion and Power, September 2005

Access:

Click here to download an electronic preprint of this article (1.3 MB) in Acrobat 4.0 (.pdf) format.

Abstract:

A new electrodeless accelerator concept that relies on an RF-assisted discharge, an applied magnetic
field, and electromagnetic acceleration using an inductive coil is presented. The presence of a preionized
plasma allows for current sheet formation at lower discharge voltages and energies than those found in
other pulsed inductive accelerator concepts. A proof-of-concept experiment, supported by optical and probe
diagnostics, has been constructed and used to demonstrate low-voltage, low-energy current sheet formation
and acceleration. Magnetic field data indicate that the peak sheet velocity in this unoptimized configuration
operating at a pulse energy of 78.5 J is 12 km/s. Visual observations indicate that plasma follows the applied
magnetic field from the RF discharge to the face of the planar acceleration coil, while magnetic field probing
and visualization using a fast-framing camera show the formation and acceleration of the current sheet.


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