Two-dimensional supersonic plasma acceleration in a magnetic nozzle

Journal Article · Thu Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3442736· OSTI ID:21389142

Ahedo, E; Merino, M ^[1]

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1. ETS Ingenieros Aeronauticos, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Madrid 28040 (Spain)

A two-dimensional model of the expansion of a collisionless, electron-magnetized, low-beta, current-free plasma in a divergent magnetic nozzle is presented. The plasma response is investigated in terms of the nozzle/plasma divergence rate, the magnetic strength on ions, and the Hall current at the nozzle throat. Axial acceleration profiles agree well with those estimated from simple one-dimensional models. A strong radial nonuniformity develops downstream. There is a separation between ion and electron/magnetic streamtubes which leads to the formation of, first, a longitudinal electric current density, which indicates that current ambipolarity is not fulfilled, and, second, a small ion azimuthal current that competes negatively with the electron azimuthal (Hall) current. The analysis of the mechanisms driving thrust, ion momentum, and ion energy unveils the dual electrothermal/electromagnetic character of the magnetic nozzle. In general, the thrust includes the contributions of volumetric and surface Hall currents, this last one formed at the plasma-vacuum interface. Plume efficiency, based on radial expansion losses, is computed. Plasma detachment and the transonic matching with the upstream plasma are not addressed.

• OSTI ID: 21389142
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 17; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCELERATION
CHARGED PARTICLES
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
IONS
LEPTONS
NOZZLES
PLASMA
PLASMA ACCELERATION
PLASMA JETS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
WALL EFFECTS