One-Dimensional Calculation of Hall Thruster Flowfields

Abstract

One-dimensional Hall thruster flowfield calculation, in which axial motion of ions; axial and azimuthal motions of electrons perpendicular to magnetic field were considered, was carried out to understand the plasma features and the plasma acceleration processes. The model included first ionization by direct electron-neutral collisions, electron-neutral elastic collisions, electron-ion Coulomb collisions, Bohm diffusion (anomalous diffusion); channel wall losses of ion flux and electron energy with secondary electron emission effect. The flowfield in an acceleration channel was divided into diffusion, ionization and ion acceleration regions. Both ionization and ion acceleration were found to, intensively and efficiently, occur in their thin regions with a few millimeter thick near the acceleration channel exit. The calculated thruster performance roughly agreed with an experimental one.