7th International Conference on Matter and Radiation at Extremes (ICMRE2024)

This study examines the formation of plasma on spacecraft membrane materials in a vacuum environment, under microwave irradiation, and its associated changes in macroscopic dynamic characteristics. To facilitate propulsion within these membrane materials, electromagnetic pulses in the S-band were introduced into a vacuum chamber with pressures ranging from 10^-3 Pa to 10^-4 Pa. These pulses were directed onto insulating membrane materials of sizes between 1 to 10 cm. Notable ablation and momentum were observed in the samples when subjected to electric field intensities between 100 V/cm and 1000 V/cm. The results from PIC - MCC simulations suggest potential physical processes: breakdown induced by strong field discharge, flashover leading to surface arcing, particles absorbing microwave energy through collision causing plasma diffusion resulting in material expansion or deformation, plasma dynamics imparting momentum to the target for movement, and plasma ablation leading to damage. This research offers technical insights for the advancement of new technologies aimed at microwave removal of space debris.
 

Membrance material,Discharge damage,Microwave irradiation,Plasma dynamics