Particle-in-Cell Simulation on Effects of Magnetic Field on Discharge Characteristics and Performance of Hall Thruster

The magnetic field intensity and configuration have significant influence on the discharge process of Hall thruster. In this work, a two-dimensional physical model based on the channel size of Hall thruster and the physical process of plasma discharge is established. The PIC simulation method is adopted to study the discharge characteristics of plasma with different magnetic field distributions, and to discuss the variation of thrust, thrust to power ratio and discharge current. The simulation results show that the peak magnetic field intensity of the central axis is less than 200G. The restraint of the magnetic field on the electron conduction on the axial direction decreases. When the peak magnetic field intensity is between 200G~420G, the electron temperature, ionization rate and the collision frequency between electrons and the wall decrease, the radial velocity of ions at the outlet increases, and the wall corrosion increases. When the peak magnetic field intensity is 280G, the length of acceleration region become minimal and the value of discharge current drop to a minimum. Magnetic field configurations with different zero magnetic point will change the position of ionization and acceleration zones in the channel and affect the discharge performance of the thruster. © 2020, Editorial Department of Journal of Propulsion Technology. All right reserved.