Electrostatic ion thruster optics calculations

Two- and three-dimensional ion thruster optical calculations including both source and exhaust plasmas are performed. These calculations include both a self-consistent ion source extraction plasma sheath and an explicit computation of the primary ion optics including sheath and electrode induced aberrations. A study determining the effects of beam space charge, accelerator geometry, and properties of the downstream plasma sheath on the position of the electrostatic potential saddle point near the extractor electrode is made. Results of the electron blocking potential barrier height as a function of electrode thickness and secondary plasma processes are described