Modelization of ALPHIE thruster with classical and disruptive approaches

The Alternative Low Power Hybrid Ion Engine (ALPHIE) is a disruptive technology that mixes features of well-known ion engines, as the gridded and Hall Effect thrusters. For a better understanding to improve ALPHIE, a large number of simulations, based on specialized theoretical models, are being performed. The complex plasma phenomena involved in the ionization chamber, grid system and plasma plume require differentiated and interconnected inspections. These analyses use classical particle-in-cell simulations and a new semi-analytical methods able to describe the distribution function time and phase-space evolution of each plasma species (as neutrals, electrons and ions). Such processes account for, among others, ionization of neutral particles by high energy electrons (~600eV), transport of electrons and ions through the grid system, charge-exchange of ions in the plasma plume and the self-consistent electric field that naturally arises due to the charge separation. A PIC code is currently under developed to deal with the space-charge and transport problems. On the other hand, collisional effects among particles are analyzed with the semi-analytical Propagator Integral Method (PIM), able to obtain the physically meaningful distribution function of every species involved in the plasma.