Two-dimensional full-fluid moment simulations of partially magnetized ExB plasmas

The state-of-the-art in fluid modeling for low temperature plasmas has long been based on the drift-diffusion approximation, in which electron inertial effects are neglected, often accompanied by a quasi-neutrality assumption. These simplifications prevent the resolution of shear and non-neutral effects, both of which are thought to play significant roles in the anomalous electron transport observed in partially magnetized plasma devices such as Hall effect thrusters. In this work, a two-dimensional, full-fluid (i.e., electron and ion fluid) code is developed which solves the continuity, momentum, and energy equations for ions and electrons, as well as Poisson’s equation. Cases are considered with an in-plane magnetic field with fully magnetized electrons and unmagnetized ions and the ExB direction out-of-plane. The effects of near-wall sheaths and oblique magnetic fields on cross-field electron transport are studied and compared to the predictions of classical collisional theory.