Simplified Plasmadynamics Model of a Coaxial Self-Field Plasma Accelerator

Abstract

A simplified plasmadynamics model is presented that examines radial and axial dependence of the current sheet structure of a coaxial quasi-steady self-field plasma accelerator, dominated by electromagnetic forces. Two radial electric field distributions are considered as limiting cases. In the first case, constant current flows between constant-radius electrodes; in the second case, constant current flows between electrodes and also extends downstream of the electrodes. Calculations for Teflon ([Formula: see text]) plasma show the distribution of plasma parameters inside the current sheet, as well as terminal values for kinetic efficiency, voltage, and impedance for both [Formula: see text] distributions. Evaluation of the validity of simplifying assumptions is presented, as is the behavior of previously developed accelerators as interpreted by the model.