Effect of matching between the magnetic field and channel length on the performance of low sputtering Hall thrusters

Discharge characteristics of a non-wall-loss Hall thruster were studied under different channel lengths using a design based on pushing a magnetic field through a double permanent magnet ring. The effect of different magnetic field intensities and channel lengths on ionization, efficiency, and plume divergence angle were studied. The experimental results show that propellant utilization is improved for optimal matching between the magnetic field and channel length. While matching the magnetic field and channel length, the ionization position of the neutral gas changes. The ion flow is effectively controlled, allowing the thrust force, specific impulse, and efficiency to be improved. Our study shows that the channel length is an important design parameter to consider for improving the performance of non wall -loss Hall thrusters. (C) 2017 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.