Modeling of anomalous electron mobility in Hall thrusters

Abstract

Accurate modeling of the anomalous electron mobility is absolutely critical for successful simulation of Hall thrusters. In this work, existing computational models for the anomalous electron mobility are used to simulate the UM/AFRL P5 Hall thruster ͑a 5 kW laboratory model͒ in a two-dimensional axisymmetric hybrid particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision code. Comparison to experimental results indicates that, while these computational models can be tuned to reproduce the correct thrust or discharge current, it is very difficult to match all integrated performance parameters ͑thrust, power, discharge current, etc.͒ simultaneously. Furthermore, multiple configurations of these computational models can produce reasonable integrated performance parameters. A semiempirical electron mobility profile is constructed from a combination of internal experimental data and modeling assumptions. This semiempirical electron mobility profile is used in the code and results in more accurate simulation of both the integrated performance parameters and the mean potential profile of the thruster. Results indicate that the anomalous electron mobility, while absolutely necessary in the near-field region, provides a substantially smaller contribution to the total electron mobility in the high Hall current region near the thruster exit plane.

Device convolution effects on the collective scattering signal of the E × B mode from Hall thruster experiments: 2D dispersion relation

“…First, no reliable models for anomalous turbulent electron transport exist for use in fluid and hybrid codes. 11 As a result the axial accelerating electric field cannot be predicted from those codes. Second, anomalously high electron transport results in wasted electrical power, as this current is not used to produce thrust.…”

Magnetic field deformation due to electron drift in a Hall thruster

“…The experimental factor κ B is set to a value between 1 and 0.1 corresponding to the plume region and discharge channel according to some previous research papers. 17,18 The neutral atoms with half Maxwell velocity distribution are injected from anode plane and maintain the initial speed distribution. The collision of neutral atoms with the wall are considered diffuse reflection.…”

Simulation Study on the Control of the Ion Current Oscillation Based on the Ion Transport in Hall Thrusters

“…It is noted that since the ion current occupies for the most part of the discharge current, we focus our attention on the ion current. In particular, the effect of the ion transport to electric current oscillations due to interparticle collisions has not been well-established in the field of the electric propulsion [3][4]. The ion transport implies that they move parallel to the plasma electric field generated by the anode and cathode.…”