Verification of an electron-carbon interaction model for DSMC schemes

Abstract

International audienceThe Direct Simulation Monte Carlo module of a fully kinetic 3D plasma particle code is currently under development at the Institute of Space Systems (IRS). As the complete discharge simulation of a non-stationary magnetoplasmadynamic thruster is intended, improved models for the DSMC (direct simulation monte carlo) based interaction evaluation in a highly rarefied and strongly disturbed plasma need to be used. For that purpose it is essential to avoid macroscopic quantities (like temperature) in the model approach. Therefore, a collision and reaction evaluation approach was developed and implemented which is based on energy dependent cross section data only. As the thruster propellant is Polytetrafluorethylen (PTFE) a large cross section data base was built, implemented, and verified based on the assumption of an initially fully dissociated and partially ionized plasma. The electron - heavy particle interactions of interest are elastic scattering (including polarization), collisional excitation, de-excitation, and recombination. In this work we present the model approach, details on the implemented Carbon related cross sections as well as the verification procedure which is based on the reproduction of rate coefficients in the range of 20.000 - 200.000 K. © 2010 by the authors