Modeling the Characteristics of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Antenna for Use in a Micro-Propulsion System

Authors

Sonya Shawver, Boise State University
Jim Browning, Boise State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

8-5-2012

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MWSCAS.2012.6292201

Abstract

An ion thruster for small satellites is under development. The thruster uses an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) generated by a flat spiral antenna for the ion source. The antenna is fabricated using the Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) materials system. The antenna has been modeled using COMSOL Multiphysics^® simulation software. The antenna operating frequency range (600 MHz to 1 GHz) in LTCC (ε_r=7.8) results in a wavelength on the same order of magnitude as the total length of conductor in the antenna. An analysis of the antenna's behavior is presented.

Publication Information

Shawver, Sonya and Browning, Jim. (2012). "Modeling the Characteristics of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Antenna for Use in a Micro-Propulsion System". IEEE 55th International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems, 1040-1043.