Elucidation of Plasma-Discharge Characteristics and Ion-BeamExtraction Mechanism for Micro RF Ion Propulsion

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We have conducted numerical and experimental research of micro RF ion thruster to investigate plasma-discharge characteristics and ion-beam extraction mechanism by using a numerical model, which consists of an external circuit model and a particle model, and by measuring the plasma density and the ion beam current. As a result, we have found that the op timum RF frequency range is 200-300 MHz to obtain high plasma density at low RF power, the effect of capacitive coupling is not negligible, and there is an optimum flow rate condition to extract ion beam. These results are in reasonable agreement with the numerical calculations.