Inductive pulsed plasma thruster （IPPT） are promising candidates for future space nuclear propulsion.Focusing on the high efficiency energy deposition and conversion technology in IPPTs，this paper carries out a literature review from three aspects：the basic working principle，the thruster performance optimization theory，and the thruster magnetic penetration characteristics.First，the performance and technical characteristics of various types of IPPTs are compared and analyzed.Considering the performance differences of thrusters，the roles，limitations，and interrelationships of different performance optimization theories，e.g.，Lovberg criterion，dynamic matching theory，and critical specific energy principle，are summarized.Then，by comparing the magnetic field distributions in different types of thrusters，the influence of magnetic field permeability characteristics on the energy deposition and conversion of thrusters is clarified，and the main methods，important conclusions，and limitations of the magnetic field permeability characteristics used in experimental and numerical studies are discussed.