Flow characteristics of arc jet plasma along open field lines

Abstract

We experimentally study plasma parameters including the ion acoustic Mach number and the flow direction of expanding helium plasma jet flowing along open field lines. It is experimentally found that the ion Mach number increases. We discuss the mechanism of the ion acceleration. Since the ions do not rotate in electromagnets, the hall and the swirl acceleration do not occur. We investigate the experimental results based on quasi one-dimensional flow model including the aerodynamic effect and the electric field. Our model describes the ion acceleration and the axial profiles of the potential drop. Therefore, it is concluded that the helium ions are accelerated both by the electric field and by the increasing cross sectional area of the flowing channel, which is determined by the magnetic flux conservation.