Cross-field electron transport induced by a rotating spoke in a cylindrical Hall thruster

Journal Article · Sun Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3671920· OSTI ID:22043611

Ellison, C L; Raitses, Y; Fisch, N J ^[1]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)

Rotating spoke phenomena have been observed in a variety of Hall thruster and other E x B devices. It has been suggested that the spoke may be associated with the enhancement of the electron cross-field transport. In this paper, the current conducted across the magnetic field via a rotating spoke has been directly measured for the first time in the E x B discharge of a cylindrical Hall thruster. The spoke current was measured using a segmented anode. Synchronized measurements with a high speed camera and a four-segment anode allow observation of the current as a function of time and azimuthal position. Upwards of 50% of the total current is conducted through the spoke, which occupies a quarter of the Hall thruster channel area. To determine the transport mechanism, emissive and Langmuir probes were installed to measure fluctuating plasma potential, electron density, and temperature. A perturbed, azimuthal electric field and density are observed to oscillate in-phase with the rotating spoke. The resulting drift current is found to enhance electron transport with a magnitude equal to the spoke current to within margins of error.

• OSTI ID: 22043611
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 19, Issue 1; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
DENSITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
FLUCTUATIONS
ION TEMPERATURE
LANGMUIR PROBE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA POTENTIAL
PLASMA WAVES
THRUSTERS
TIME DEPENDENCE