Three-dimensional simulations of grid erosion in ion engines

Three-dimensional simulations have been conducted to analyze the wear of ion engine grids. Grid sputtering due to the impact of high-velocity ions and neutrals produced by charge-exchange and elastic collisions between mainstream ions and leaking neutrals was taken into account with redeposition of sputtered grid materials. Comparisons with experiments were performed, and it was found that the calculated grid mass losses agree well with those measured in experiments.