Physics and modeling of ID-HALL, a new concept of double stage HALL thruster

ORAL

Abstract

HALL thrusters are EXB plasma devices where a large electric field can be generated in a quasineutral plasma by applying a DC voltage across a magnetic barrier. This electric field allows electron impact ionization of a flux of atoms injected at the anode, and accelerates ions out of the plasma, generating the thrust. In a double stage HALL thruster (DSHT), the plasma is generated in a plasma source independently of the applied voltage, allowing separate control of thrust and ion velocity. A new DSHT design, ID-HALL (Inductive Double-stage HALL thruster), is described. An RF inductive coil is placed inside the inner cylinder of ID-HALL. Thanks to a magnetic field distribution that efficiently connects the cusps of the plasma source to the magnetic barrier, a high density magnetically confined toroidal plasma is formed around the inner cylinder, close to the accelerating field of the magnetic barrier. After a brief discussion of the DSHT concept, we present 2D simulations of ID-HALL performed with the HALLIS hybrid model (\underline {https://www.hallis-model.com}). Plasma density, electron temperature and properties of the extracted ion beam as well as the performance of the thruster are studied as a function of DC voltage, RF power and gas mass flow rate.

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Presenters

  • Peter Hartmann

    School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra, Australia, School of Minerals and Energy Resources, UNSW Sydney, Australia, University P. Sabatier, Institute of Plasma Physics CAS, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Seikei Univ, Univ of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Baylor University, UCSD, Baylor University, Wigner RCP

Authors

  • Peter Hartmann

    School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra, Australia, School of Minerals and Energy Resources, UNSW Sydney, Australia, University P. Sabatier, Institute of Plasma Physics CAS, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Seikei Univ, Univ of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Baylor University, UCSD, Baylor University, Wigner RCP

  • Peter Hartmann

    School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra, Australia, School of Minerals and Energy Resources, UNSW Sydney, Australia, University P. Sabatier, Institute of Plasma Physics CAS, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Seikei Univ, Univ of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Baylor University, UCSD, Baylor University, Wigner RCP

  • Peter Hartmann

    School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra, Australia, School of Minerals and Energy Resources, UNSW Sydney, Australia, University P. Sabatier, Institute of Plasma Physics CAS, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Seikei Univ, Univ of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Baylor University, UCSD, Baylor University, Wigner RCP

  • Peter Hartmann

    School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra, Australia, School of Minerals and Energy Resources, UNSW Sydney, Australia, University P. Sabatier, Institute of Plasma Physics CAS, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Seikei Univ, Univ of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Baylor University, UCSD, Baylor University, Wigner RCP

  • Peter Hartmann

    School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra, Australia, School of Minerals and Energy Resources, UNSW Sydney, Australia, University P. Sabatier, Institute of Plasma Physics CAS, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Seikei Univ, Univ of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Baylor University, UCSD, Baylor University, Wigner RCP