Model analysis of a double-stage Hall effect thruster with double-peaked magnetic field and intermediate electrode

Abstract

A hybrid fluid-particle model has been used to study the properties of a double-stage Hall effect thruster where the channel is divided into two regions of large magnetic field separated by a low-field region containing an intermediate, electron-emitting electrode. These two features are aimed at effectively separating the ionization region from the acceleration region in order to extend the thruster operating range. Simulation results are compared with experimental results obtained elsewhere. The simulations reproduce some of the measurements when the anomalous transport coefficients are adequately chosen. However, they raise the question of a complete separation of the ionization and acceleration regions and the necessity of an electron-emissive intermediate electrode. The calculation method for the electric potential in the hybrid model has been improved with respect to our previous work and is capable of a complete two-dimensional description of the magnetic configurations of double-stage Hall effect thrusters.