A topical review paper on iodine plasmas for space propulsion and industrial applications

Iodine is an emerging alternative propellant for high-performance electric propulsion systems and has also been proposed as a novel feed gas for the dry etching of III-V semiconductor materials.

An international team, including several researchers from the LPP (Laboratory of Plasma Physics), has just published a review article on iodine plasmas, featuring a detailed database for various properties, collision cross-sections and iodine-surface interactions. In addition, important research and development work in the field is highlighted and the current state-of-the-art discussed: including the space flight heritage of iodine-fueled propulsion systems (which now surpasses 100+ units) and remaining research/technical challenges.

Paper: click here

Contacts at LPP: Cyril Drag, Benjamin Esteves, Anne Bourdon et Pascal Chabert