The Role of Electronic Components in the Study of Plasma Dynamics of Flows Ejected from Electric and Liquid Jet Engines

Abstract

The influence of the electron component on the plasma dynamics of jets escaping from electric propulsion jet engines and liquid propulsion jet engines is examined. It is shown that in both cases a positively charged jet propagates surrounded by an electron cloud. Electrons significantly affect the distribution of potential and other parameters in the jet; they can initiate oscillatory processes and instabilities, and affect the motion of heavier particles—ions—through self-consistent fields.