Theoretical and experimental studies of a prototype microwave resonator ion thruster for spacecraft

The paper presents a math model which describes energy processes occurring inside the accelerating toroidal microwave ion thruster, and the process of the accelerated nitrogen ions deceleration in the vacuum chamber internal gas environment. The math model is based on the multielectrode tube theory and the theory of electromagnetic interaction between a charged particle and matter. The math model was verified in experimental studies based on time-of-flight method taking into account the ion beam parameters determined using a Faraday cylinder. In the math model, the maximum particle velocity between reference points at 1200 V voltage across electrodes of the ion-optical system was ~340 000 m/s. The experimental results showed that at the same voltage the ion velocity was ~300 000 m/s. The values that were obtained both theoretically and from the Faraday cylinder were 2...4 yA.