Different fluid strategies for the simulation of a Helicon Plasma Thruster

Different fluid numerical strategies have been considered for the analysis of the plasma transport in a Helicon Plasma Thruster, namely the Drift Diffusion solution, the explicitly segregated solution, and the adoption of the Simple algorithm [Patankar & Spalding] for the coupled solution of the continuity and momentum balances. These strategies have been compared in terms of plasma profiles such as electron density and temperature, and their computational efficiency has been assessed. Finally, a sensitivity analysis over the neutrals' pressure has been performed in order to assess the validity of each proposed strategy for different collisional regimes.