Magnetized fluid electron model within a two-dimensional hybrid simulation code for electrodeless plasma thrusters Articles uri icon

publication date

  • April 2022

start page

  • 045021

end page

  • 045047

issue

  • 4

volume

  • 31

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0963-0252

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1361-6595

abstract

  • An axisymmetric fluid model for weakly-collisional, magnetized electrons is introduced and coupled
    to a particle-in-cell model for heavy species to simulate electrodeless plasma thrusters. The numerical
    treatment of the model is based on a semi-implicit time scheme, and specific algorithms for solving on
    a magnetic field aligned mesh. Simulation results of the plasma transport are obtained for a virtual
    electrodeless thruster. The particle and energy fluxes of electrons are discussed. A first phenomenological
    model is included for the anomalous cross-field electron transport, and a second one for the
    anomalous parallel-field electron cooling in the plume. The balances of the plasma properties reveal
    that wall losses are the crucial reason for the poor thrust efficiency of these thrusters. The magnetic
    thrust inside the source could be negative and largely depending on the location of the magnetic
    throat, which is found uncoupled from the location of the plasma beam sonic surface. Furthermore, a
    sensitivity analysis of the results against the simulated plume extension shows that finite plumes imply
    an incomplete electron expansion, which leads to underestimating the performances.

subjects

  • Aeronautics