Micro instabilities and rotating spokes in the near-anode region of partially magnetized plasmas

Abstract

Electron and ion transport in the near-anode region of a partially magnetized plasma under conditions typical of Hall thrusters or magnetron discharges is studied with fully kinetic, Particle-In-Cell Monte Carlo Collision (PIC-MCC) simulations assuming a uniform magnetic field and no ionization. We derive a simple relation that defines the magnetic field at the transition point between negative and positive sheaths. For magnetic fields around or above this transition point, PIC-MCC simulations show the development of short wavelength azimuthal instabilities that cascade to longer wavelengths (“rotating spokes”) as the magnetic field is increased. Both short-wavelength and large-wavelength fluctuations can coexist under some conditions. A detailed study of the fluid dispersion relation is used to analyze the PIC-MCC results. Small coherent structures can be associated with the destabilization of ion sound waves by density gradient and collisions. Longer wavelengths or rotating spokes are characteristic of the collisionless Simon-Hoh instability. The small structures are dominant for larger plasma density gradients, while the larger structures correspond to smaller density gradients and larger magnetic fields. Anomalous transport associated with these instabilities can be significant, with effective collision frequencies larger than 2×107 s−1 in xenon for magnetic fields above the transition point.