Plasma generator and method for controlling a plasma generator

A plasma generator comprising:

• a housing surrounding an ionization chamber,
• at least one working-fluid supply line leading into the ionization chamber, the ionization chamber having at least one outlet opening,
• at least one electric coil arrangement surrounding at least one area of the ionization chamber,
• wherein the coil arrangement is electrically connected with a high-frequency alternating-current source which is constructed such that it applies a high-frequency electric alternating current to at least one coil of the coil arrangement,
• wherein a further current source is provided which is constructed such that it applies a direct current or an alternating current of a frequency lower than that of the current supplied by the high-frequency alternating current source to at least one coil of the coil arrangement,
• wherein the plasma generator is an ion source,
• wherein the ion source is an ion engine,
• wherein an accelerating device for ions formed in the ionization chamber is in an area of the outlet opening, and
• wherein the accelerating device has an electrically positively charged lattice and a negatively charged lattice situated behind the positive lattice in the outflow direction of the ions from the ionization chamber.