3 papers
physics.plasm-ph2026
Pulse Shaping Increases Efficiency in Pulsed Plasma Accelerators
Patrick W. Schools, Mammadbaghir Baghirzade, Ryan Heiser +3
The performance of a gas-fed pulsed electromagnetic thruster is governed by the ability to deposit electrical energy while propellant is available for acceleration. Current pulsed-…
physics.plasm-ph2026
Microwave Resonant Discharges for Spatiotemporally Selective Plasma Breakdown Near Surfaces
Arnav Mohapatra, Joshua K. Goodrich, Thomas C. Underwood +1
The paper presents a method using resonant microwave fields and dielectric structures to create localized plasma discharges near surfaces, allowing precise spatial and temporal con…
physics.plasm-ph2025
Magnetohydrodynamic Operating Regimes of Pulsed Plasma Accelerators for Efficient Propellant Utilization
Ethan Horstman, Adrian Woodley, Thomas C. Underwood
The presence of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) acceleration modes in pulsed plasma thrusters has been verified using the magnetic extension of Rankine-Hugoniot theory. However, the impa…