Simulation of RF Microdischarges for Microthruster Applications

A discharge phenomenon in a radio-frequency (RF)-excited microdischarge-based microthruster with dielectric-covered electrodes is presented. A self-consistent multispecies multitemperature continuum model is used to describe the plasma in the thruster, along with the compressible Navier-Stokes equations for the bulk fluid flow. Results indicate a highly pulsed microdischarge with charge densities of ~10²⁰ m^-3 and gas temperature excursions of ~200 K occurring in the discharge during the pulse. The results validate the RF-excited microdischarge concept for electrothermal microthruster applications.