RMF驱动场反构型推力器FRC等离子体约束机理的仿真和实验研究

The field reversed configuration electromagnetic thruster with large thrust, high specific impulse and long lifetime is of great application value in deep space exploration, on orbit service and major space missions such as loading the moon. This project by using the method of theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and experimental verification of the combination, according to the theory of low-temperature plasma radio-frequency and FRC plasma theory, the FRC numerical model with RF current drive is established and verified by the experiments. The effect of low temperature field reversed configuration thruster pre-ionization source parameters on RMF current drive FRC confinements, the dynamic balance correction effect of radial force on FRC, the influence of transient ion spin-up and ion current on the rotating RMF penetration and FRC confinements, the high atomic mass propellant FRC plasma confinement properties and evolution characteristics etc. will be examined. Mastering the dynamic evolution characteristics and physical mechanism of the FRC plasma confinement of low temperature field reversed configuration thruster, and breaking through the key technology of FRC confinement on the effect of thruster performance improvement, and offering a method of thruster performance optimization. The research results of this project provide basic theoretical and technological support for the development and performance optimization of the field reversed configuration thruster, which is of great economic and scientific significance for promoting the capability of space missions in China.

场反构型电磁推力器的大推力、高比冲和长寿命特征使其在深空探测、在轨服务和载人登月等国家重大空间任务方面具有重要的应用价值。本项目通过采用理论分析、数值模拟和实验验证相结合的方法，根据低温等离子体射频理论和FRC等离子体基础理论,建立射频电流驱动的FRC数值仿真模型，并通过实验进行验证，重点开展低温场反构型推力器预电离源参数对RMF电流驱动和FRC约束的影响规律，RMF径向力对FRC动态平衡的校正效应，FRC瞬态离子旋转和离子电流对RMF穿透和FRC约束的影响特性，高原子质量工质FRC等离子体的约束性能及其演化特征等研究内容。掌握低温场反构型推力器FRC等离子体约束的动态演化特征和物理机理，突破FRC约束影响推力器性能提升的关键技术，提出推力器性能优化的方法。本项目的研究成果为场反构型推力器的研制和性能优化提供基础理论和技术支撑，对推动我国空间航天任务能力的提升具有重大经济价值和科学意义。

面向未来深空探测、空间大范围轨道转移、低轨地月货运、在轨补给和轨道间维修等国家重大空间科技计划对高功率、大推力、高比冲和长寿命的空间电推进系统的应用需求，开展新型大功率场反构型等离子体团电磁推进基础问题研究。本项目通过采用理论分析、数值模拟和实验测试相结合的方法，重点开展场反构型推力器预电离源参数对RMF电流驱动和FRC约束的影响规律，RMF径向力对FRC动态平衡的校正效应，FRC瞬态离子旋转和离子电流对RMF穿透和FRC约束的影响特性，高原子质量工质FRC等离子体的约束性能及其演化特征等研究内容。构建了场反构型推力器物理仿真模型、旋转磁场3D数值仿真模型，描述了RMF旋转磁场在等离子体中的穿透和电流驱动过程、预电离源对FRC约束的影响机理、RMF径向力对FRC动态平衡的影响规律、高原子质量工质FRC的约束性能特性，掌握了不同放电运行参数下场反构型等离子体团电磁推进的性能演化趋势，指导了场反构型等离子体团电磁推进样机的设计，为其性能提升提供了一种优化设计方法。本项目为场反构型等离子团工程样机的研究和关键技术的攻关提供了重要支撑，搭建了软、硬件平台，促进了国内空间电推进技术的进步，具有重要的科学和社会效益。