Abstract
Diode laser-sustained plasma (LSP) has been ignited by arc discharge as an initial electron source. However, the arc discharge requires a power supply of several hundred watts, and the electrodes cause flow contamination and limitation of the LSP position. In this study, we attempted to generate LSP using pulsed plasma with a YAG laser, tungsten rod and stainless-steel rod with potassium chloride, and capacitor discharge. As a result, the LSP could only be generated by a capacitor discharge with a laser power of 2.0 kW under the xenon pressure of 0.1 MPa. The required energy was less than 80 mJ, significantly downsizing the ignition device. Finally, to move the LSP position, we attempted to ignite the LSP by a burnout-type arc discharge. As a result, the argon LSP thruster could be successfully demonstrated by moving the LSP position.
https://ror.org/01w6wtk13 
