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Current Research Topics
The Plasma Engineering Laboratory specializes in computational modeling
of low-temperature glow discharge plasmas, thermal arc plasmas, and
high-speed flows. Topics of current research interest are:
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1. High-speed flow control using plasma actuators
This research is part
of a large program involving several researchers at the University of Texas
at Austin and Stanford University for a study titled "Experimental/Computational
Studies of Combined Cycle Propulsion: Physics and Transient Phenomena in
Inlets and Scramjet Combustors" . Here at the Plasma
Research Laboratory we will investigate new high-bandwidth plasma
actuators for control of high-speed (supersonic/hypersonic) flows.
The studies are both experimental and computational. The experimental
component involves the development of actuators which will be demonstrated
in a scramjet inlet simulator at the Mach 3 and Mach 5 wind tunnels at
UT. The computational part will simulate plasma actuation phenomena
and coupling of these phenomena with high-speed flow dynamics.
Sponsor: Air Force Office of
Scientific Research (MURI)
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2. Microdischarge-based
small-satellite plasma propulsion
We have proposed a
new MEMS-type propulsion concept of small (< 100 kg) satellite
thrusters. Such thrusters can also be used for precision positioning
and pointing thruster applications in larger satellites. These
thruster use microdischarges for the heating of gas streams in microchannel
(dimension ~ 100 micron). Such preheated gas streams can be expanded in
micronozzles to achieve thrust. The specific impulse of such
electrothermal-type microthrusters is expected to be much higher than
cold-gas or resistively heated microthrusters.
Sponsor: Air Force Office of
Scientific Research
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3. Computational
modeling of intense contact-gap arc plasmas
This project seeks to
develop a computational model for understanding plasma phenomena at very
small dimensions and large current densities. The discharge dimensions are
sufficiently small that significant deviation from the Paschen breakdown
curve is observed owing to field emission effects. Our work will develop a
computational model to describe this phenomena. We will develop an
understanding of discharge dynamics as well as the environment (thermal and
kinetic) that causes material (electrode) erosion.
Sponsor: Office of Naval Research
(subcontract through Institute of Advanced Technology)
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4. Simulation
of capacitively coupled discharges for pulsed atomic-layer deposition of
thin films
The objective of
this research is to develop a fundamental understanding of pulsed
plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) for atomic layer
deposition (ALD). The project is collaborative with Prof. Wolden at Colorado
School of Mines where experimental work will be performed with
computational modeling and simulations being done at UT-Austin. The
computational modeling will involve development of a reactor scale
multi-species, multi-temperature model for a capacitively coupled reactive
plasma and a surface chemistry model for the pulsed PECVD based ALD
process.
Sponsor: National Science
Foundation
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Past Research Topics
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1.
Atmospheric Pressure Glow (APG) Discharges
APG discharges have
properties resembling classical low-pressure glow discharges but are stable,
uniform, and occupy large volumes at high (atmospheric) pressure. APG
plasma properties include high degree of chemical nonequilibrium, low
(near-room) gas temperatures, and large-area uniformity. Current
studies are aimed at studying fundamental aspects of these discharges and
development of new approaches to stabilize large-volume APG plasmas.
One-dimensional computational modeling studies are ongoing to elucidate the
structure, dynamics, stability, and breakdown properties of APG discharges.
Experimental work is aimed at providing fundamental understanding of these
plasmas as well as developing new approaches to enhancing stability of APG
plasmas.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (CAREER
Award)
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2. Computational
modeling of Helicon discharge for VASIMR rocket propulsion application
A computational model
for the helicon plasma discharge (one of the component of the VASIMR rocket
engine) was developed. Important elements of the model included development
of a Electromagnetic wave solver to predict the wave field and power
deposition mechanisms in the helicon plasma and a hybrid continuum-particle
solver to predict the particle balance in the discharge.
Sponsor: NASA, Ad Astra Rocket
Company
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Resources
The Plasma Research
Laboratory has the following resources for conducting our research:
Computational:
Codes:
1)
Non-equilibrium glow discharge plasma simulator
2)
Thermal arc plasma simulator
3)
Compressible Navier-Stokes solver
Equipment:
1)
7 multi-core, multiprocessor high-performance workstations for
development, testing, and production runs
2)
Number of personal computers for personnel use
3)
Additionally access to advanced computational facilities at the Texas
Advanced Computing Center (TACC)
Group members
Current Graduate students:
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Dan Berisford
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Experimental
studies of the VASIMR propulsion helicon discharge.
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Shankar
Mahadevan
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Modeling of plasma-flow
interactions high speed flow control
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Marshall
Albright
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Modeling and simulation of micron and
submicron scale microdischarge phenomena including field emission effects
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Hariswaran
Sitaraman
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Computational modeling of RF activated
microdischarge based small thrusters
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Doug
Breden
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Computational modeling nanosecond pulsed
discharges for plasma ignition of combustion
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Timothy
Min
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Computational modeling of capacitively
coupled plasma discharge for pulsed atomic layer deposition
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Past Ph.D. Graduate Students:
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Xiaohui
Yuan
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Computational modeling of atmospheric
pressure glow discharges
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Ph. D., Dec. 2005
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Prashanth
Kothnur
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Modeling of microdischarge phenomena for
microthruster applications
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Ph.D., Dec. 2006
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Jichul Shin
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Experimental studies
of plasma actuators for flow control
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Ph.D., Dec
2007
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Guangye Chen
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Particle
modeling of the VASIMR propulsion helicon discharge
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Ph.D., Aug
2008
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Thomas
Deconinck
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Simulation studies
of direct-current microdischarges for electric propulsion
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Ph.D.,
Dec 2008
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Updated: April 2009
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