Abstract
Oscillations range from KHz-GHz have been measured in the experimental measurements within the laboratory Hall thruster. With the various frequency oscillations, different kinds of collisions between particles and the complex electromagnetic field environment, the dynamics of particles in the discharge chamber are really intricate. The dynamics of particles become even untraceable in the near-wall region where the plasma sheath exists. In this study, the two-dimensional fully kinetic Immersed Finite Element Particle-In-Cell (IFE-PIC) numerical models are developed in the axial-radial (z-r) plane at the acceleration region, with the intent of examining the effects of multiple oscillations on the plasma sheath. The results are valuable for understanding the features of plasma sheath in acceleration region at the real working conditions.
Highlights
The Hall thruster is one of the main electric propulsion equipment used in space
We can deduce that when the axial electric field intensity is constant, it had no effect on the physical properties of wall sheath
As the axial electric field intensity affects the axial velocity of particle, and sheath is made up of accumulated charge which is brought by particles incident on the wall
Summary
The Hall thruster is one of the main electric propulsion equipment used in space. Since the first operative Hall thruster was launched to space in the 1970s, the Hall thruster has been tested on many satellites, and its performance has proved it as a reliable propulsion alternative [1,2,3]. The plasma sheath, which is an electric field arises at the boundary separating the plasma from a solid body in order to balance ion and electron currents at the collector surface, is an inherent phenomenon in Hall thruster [4,5,6]. Since the plasma sheath potential is related to the whole electric distribution in the discharge channel of Hall thruster and the sputter condition of the incident ions, the sheath is always a research focus among the physical problems of Hall thruster [5,6]. As the most potential drop, the acceleration and sputtering of ions locate in the acceleration region, it is crucial to increase the understanding of the physical characteristics of plasma sheath in this region. Huijun Cao: Numerical Investigation of Plasma Sheath Under Multiple Oscillations in Acceleration Region of Hall Thrusters
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