Effect of magnetic field directionality on discharging characteristics of Hall effect thruster with azimuthal diversion rail

Abstract

The structure of an azimuthal diversion rail causes the neutral gas in the Hall effect thruster to possess a certain circumferential velocity. Two different directions of the magnetic field can be formed in the discharge channel, where the direction of the magnetic field depends on the direction of the excitation current. The aim of this work is to study the effect of magnetic field directionality on the discharging characteristics of a Hall effect thruster with an azimuthal diversion rail. The experimental results demonstrate that a change in the magnetic field direction corresponds to a change in the electronic Hall drift direction. When the electronic Hall drift direction is opposite to the circumferential velocity of the neutral gas, its thrust, specific impulse, and efficiency are higher than the case in which the electronic Hall drift direction is in the same direction as that of the circumferential velocity of neutral gas. The increase in performances is due to the increase in the propellant utilization. The reasons for the increase in the propellant utilization are explained. The experimental result provides a guide for the selection of the direction of excitation current of the Hall effect thruster with an azimuthal diversion rail.