volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

This paper studies the changes in plasma discharge characteristics and thruster performance using a two-dimensional PIC-MCC model and performance testing experiments when adjusting the magnetic field configuration in the discharge channel through an additional excitation coil at a propellant flow rate of 5 mg/s and a discharge voltage range of 300-1000 V. The research results indicate that optimizing the magnetic field configuration in the discharge channel can improve the performance of the thruster under high discharge voltage, especially in the discharge voltage range of 600--1000\,V. The simulation results of plasma characteristics show that by adjusting the magnetic field configuration, the ion ionization efficiency can be improved; the wall loss of ions can be reduced; and the acceleration and focusing of ions can be improved. The simulation and experiments results of the thruster performance show that adjusting the magnetic field configuration can improve the efficiency of the thruster, avoid the decrease in thruster efficiency when the discharge voltage increases, and ensure high efficiency while achieving high specific impulse.

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Dr. Le Yang

Dr. Na Hui

Dr. Guoheng Zhang

Dr. Ling Guo

Dr. Peiyu Wang