Effect of inductive coil geometry on the operating characteristics of an inductive pulsed plasma thruster

Summary form only given. The effect of inductive coil geometry on the operating characteristics of an inductive pulsed plasma thruster [1,2] is investigated analytically and experimentally. Model results indicate that the introduction of radial current sheet motion caused by a conical inductive coil geometry (versus a flat circular plate) increases the axial dynamic impedance parameter at which thrust efficiency is maximized and generally decreases the overall achievable thrust efficiency. Operational characteristics of two thrusters with inductive coils of different cone angles are explored through thrust stand measurements and time-integrated, unfiltered photography. Trends in impulse bit measurements indicate that, in the present configuration, the thruster with the inductive coil possessing a smaller cone angle produced larger values of thrust, in apparent contradiction to results of the model.