A two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation of stationary plasma thruster discharges

Abstract

The Hall electric thruster (HET) is an electric propulsion device used for a small satellite that allows a high specific efficiency compared with chemical thrusters. A stationary plasma thruster (SPT), which is a kind of HET, is a popular device that uses a discharge mechanism to ionize and accelerate the ions. A two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation with Monte-Carlo collision (MCC) has been developed to investigate the discharge characteristics of SPTs. The molecular dynamics code for neutral particles is also coupled with the PIC code. Xenon neutrals are injected from the hole in the anode and experience elastic, excitation, and ionization collisions with electrons and are scattered by ions. The dynamics of electrons and ions are treated with PIC method at the time scale of electrons in order to investigate the particle transport. The densities of charged particles are coupled with Poisson's equation. The effects of control parameters such as magnetic field profile, gas pressure, electron current density, and the applied voltage have been investigated. The secondary electron emission effect in dielectric is also considered.