Kink instability in applied-field magneto-plasma-dynamic thrusters.
Measurements of magnetic and electrostatic fluctuations in an applied field magneto-plasma-dynamic thruster have shown that a m/n=1/1 kink mode becomes unstable whenever the Kruskal-Shafranov limit is violated. A positive correlation is established between the kink and performance degradation at high current, which has until now prevented the use of this kind of thruster in space missions.
Zuin
M
M
Consorzio RFX, Associazione EURATOM-ENEA sulla fusione, corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
Cavazzana
R
R
Martines
E
E
Serianni
G
G
Antoni
V
V
Bagatin
M
M
Andrenucci
M
M
Paganucci
F
F
Rossetti
P
P