![]() Alternatively plasma can be accelerated to supersonic speeds by being forced through an electric double layer (a magneto-shock region with sudden drop in potential) created by a rapidly expanding magnetic field very close to the open end of the tube, as in the Helicon Double Layer Thruster developed by the Australian National University. The plasma can be heated to very high temperature by another antenna downstream (operating at the Ion-Cyclotron Resonance Frequency) and expanded through a "magnetic nozzle" into vacuum thus producing a moderate thrust and a high specific impulse, as in the case of the VASIMR thruster developed by NASA. Solenoid coils surrounding the tube create a magnetic field inside to confine the plasma within the tube and reach a high ion particle density. The helical antenna excites the gas to dissociate electrons and generate highly energetic ions. argon, krypton, xenon, helium or hydrogen) High-density plasma is produced by the use of a helical radio frequency antenna to ionise neutral gas (e.g. The Helicon source is a device capable of high-efficiency plasma generation. High-density plasma is produced by the use of a helical radio frequency antenna to ionise neutral gas in a tube closed at one end. ![]() Helicon Radiofrequency Plasma Thrusters Helicon Plasma
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