Advanced Space Propulsion CISAS Propulsion Group
Plasmas are ionized gases in which long-range electrical and magnetic interactions involving charged particles dominate over collisions between neutral species. Wide ranges of particle energies and particle densities are involved: from the tenuous interstellar medium to dense ablation plumes around the focal spots of high power, short-pulse lasers; from around a hundred million kelvin associated with nuclear fusion reactions to a few thousand kelvin in maintaining the electrical conduction in gases. Plasma Physics embraces all of these.
The plasma group benefits from collaborations with many other research organisations. We work with ENEA-EURATOM Association, and with TU/e Technical University of Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
The purpose of this programme is to use analytic theory and sophisticated computer codes to support the plasma experiments, and to make reliable predictions of the performance of future devices, such as plasma sources, plasma thrusters, and plasma antennas. The models developed are tested where possible by comparisons with data from experiments.
The theory and modelling programme covers many of the key topics in cold plasma physics.
In this section you can find articles that delve deeper into the science and technology of cold plasma research and the work we are doing.
Plasma & ElectroMagnetics
In our laboratory we have available a 2 cubic meter high vacuum facility expressly developed to allow the development of propulsion unit up to 1kW power. The facility have been designed to allow a large number of test in order to support the development phase. The thruster can be placed both outside and inside the vacuum chamber.
The research laboratory is equipped also with RF generators, vacuum equipment, plasma diagnostic, Network analyzers, sampling antennas: it allows electromagnetci testing coupled with plasma systems
Our activity is mainly focused on Helicon Plasma Thrusters. Particularly we have the capability of design development and test Helicon plasma system up to 1 kW. Our team leaded an European Consortium in the development of the first low power helicon plasma thruster ever developed in Europe. The project called HPH.com was funded by the European Commission in the frame of the 7th Framework program
We have also exploited this technology developing innovative plasma sources for industrial applications.
