Ion–Electron Recombination and Heat Fluxes in High-Frequency Ion Thrusters

Abstract

Heat fluxes emitted from plasma to the surface of structural elements of high-frequency (HF) ion thrusters with perforated electrodes of the ion-optical system have been studied. Radiation fluxes formed during ion–electron recombination on surfaces in contact with plasma are considered taking into account their spatial distribution and partial reflection from surfaces. New expressions for the heat fluxes are obtained that should be used as boundary conditions in numerical models for the calculation of temperature fields in HF ion thrusters.