Matching characteristics of magnetic field configuration and chamfered channel wall in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster

Abstract

To date, the selection of the magnetic field line used to match the chamfered inner and outer channel walls in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster has not been quantitatively studied. Hence, an experimental study was conducted on a 1.35 kW magnetically shielded Hall thruster with a xenon propellant. Different magnetic field lines were chosen, and corresponding tangentially matched channel walls were manufactured and utilized. The results demonstrate that high performance and a qualified anti-sputtering effect cannot be achieved simultaneously. When the magnetic field lines that match the chamfered wall have a strength at the channel centerline of less than 12% of the maximum field strength, the channel wall can be adequately protected from ion sputtering. When the magnetic field lines have a strength ratio of 12%-20%, the thruster performance is high. These findings provide the first significant quantitative design reference for the match between the magnetic field line and chamfered channel wall in magnetically shielded Hall thrusters.

Effects of Magnetic Field Gradient on the Performance of a Magnetically Shielded Hall Thruster

“…In that work, different magnetic field lines were chosen, and the corresponding matched channel walls were manufactured and tested. The tests revealed that the matching characteristics could influence both the thruster performance and wall energy loss [15,19], which provides a reference for magnetic field design.…”

“…The research mentioned above indicates the influence of magnetic field topology on plasma characteristics and thruster performance in traditional Hall thrusters. Due to the changes in configurations and physical mechanisms in plasma in the MS Hall thruster, numerous investigations into the principles and design of the magnetic field have been conducted [14,15]. Compared with the traditional unshielded Hall thruster, the physical processes and performances in MS Hall thrusters were found to be modified.…”

“…As a result, the performances were found to be lower in a MS Hall thruster than in an unshielded one [18]. The matching characteristics of the magnetic field and the chamfered wall were studied in [15]. In that work, different magnetic field lines were chosen, and the corresponding matched channel walls were manufactured and tested.…”

Special issue on selected papers from CEPC 2020

“…The conference contains 6 plenary talks, 20 invited talks, 92 oral presentations, which covers 10 topics, including (1) spacecraft mission planning and electric propulsion system applications; This special issue in the journal of Plasma Science and Technology (PST) is organized from the papers presented in the CEPC 2020. Interested readers can find that the papers concerning the performance and lifetime study of an ion thruster [1], matching characteristics of magnetic field configuration and chamfered channel wall in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster [2], far-field plasma characteristics of a low power Hall thruster [3], grid erosion of a field emission electric propulsion [4], sub-micron-Newton scale thrust measurement system for micro electric thrusters [5], arc anode attachment characteristics [6], magnetically levitated testbed with composite superconductor bearing for micro thrust measurement [7], the fast prediction method of SF-MPD performance based on a plasma 1009-0630/21/100101+02$33.00 equilibrium model [8], ablation characteristics of a laser-assisted pulsed plasma thruster with metal propellant [9], experimental study of an electrospray thruster based on porous media [10]. These papers reflect the latest research progress on electric propulsion technology in universities, research institutes and aerospace industry of China.…”

“…(2) arcjet, ion, Hall, PPT, MPD, VASIMR thruster technologies; (3) microwave, laser, RF and other electric propulsion application technologies; (4) microthrusters and electric propulsion devices for Cubesats applications; (5) new concepts, new principles of electric propulsion technologies; (6) electric propulsion plasma and electromagnetic basic theory, models and numerical simulations; (7) electric propulsion test and diagnosis technologies; (8) new materials, devices and key components technologies; (9) power supply, propellant storage and supply unit, control unit, thrust vector control device and other technologies used for electric propulsion systems; (10) electric propulsion plume effects on spacecraft and related protection technologies. The conference provided a good platform for academic exchange and communication, and laid the foundation for the future cooperation and development of electric propulsion technology.…”