One of the most advanced concepts of plasma propulsion systems in the state of the art is the Helicon Plasma Thruster (HPT).
The HPT is composed of an RF antenna, a discharge chamber of the Helicon type, in which an high density plasma is produced, and a magnetic-nozzle which is generated by the diverging field lines of some permanent magnets or coils, and is responsible for the acceleration of plasma and its detachment. The main advantage of this concept relies on the fact that it is simple from an engineering point of view and does not require cathodes, acceleration grids nor neutralizers, all subject to deterioration, and thus its operational life is virtually endless.
At the propulsion laboratory of the University of Bologna theoretical and numerical models are being developed to investigate the dynamics of plasma inside an HPT. Even though our main focus is on Helicon Plasma Thrusters, we are able to perform simulations of several plasma based propulsion systems and of plasma sources of industrial interest.
