Ion optics are crucial components of ion thrusters and the study of the different ion extraction
solutions used since the beginning of the electric propulsion era is essential to understand …

In the past few decades, ion engines have been widely used in deep-space propulsion and
satellite station-keeping. The aim of extending the thruster lifetime is still one of the most …

The modeling of neutral atoms is important for the full-particle simulations of Hall thrusters. In
previous studies, researchers have developed various algorithms to model the neutral …

This paper reports the numerical investigation of plasma properties for the microwave
discharge ion thruster μ10. The model consists of a particle in cell simulation and a Monte …

In order to ensure the space charge compensation of the plume, conventional ion thrusters
need an additional neutralizer to release electrons. When a radio-frequency (RF) voltage is …

The extraction and acceleration of ions from a plasma source is often performed
electrostatically using a set of direct-current (DC) biased grids. To ensure that equal currents …

The erosion of the accelerator grid affects the life of the ion thruster. One of the most
important reasons for accelerator grid erosion is the bombardment of charge exchange …

The transport processes of plasmas in grid systems of krypton (Kr) ion thrusters at different
acceleration voltages were simulated with a 3D-PIC model, and the result was compared …

The barrel erosion, one type of accelerator grid erosion in an ion thruster, is important and
needs more detailed studies. In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical simulation code is …

The T6 ion thruster is providing in-space propulsion for the BepiColombo mission, currently
en route to Mercury. Simulations of the accelerator grid erosion during flight operation were …