Radial scale effect on the performance of low-power cylindrical Hall plasma thrusters

Journal Article · Mon Sep 23 04:00:00 EDT 2013 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4820774· OSTI ID:22217973

Seo, Mihui; Lee, Jongsub; Choe, Wonho ^[1]; Seon, Jongho ^[2]; June Lee, Hae ^[3]

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1. Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701 (Korea, Republic of)
2. School of Space Research, Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deokyoungdaero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 446-701 (Korea, Republic of)
3. Department of Electrical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735 (Korea, Republic of)

Investigation of the radial scale effect on low-power cylindrical Hall thrusters has been undertaken by comparing the thrusters with three different channel diameters of 28, 40, and 50 mm. The investigation found that both the anode efficiency and the thrust of the larger thruster are higher as the anode power is raised. On the other hand, higher current and propellant utilizations are achieved for the smaller thruster, which is due to higher neutral density and better electron confinement. The large plume angle of the small cylindrical Hall thruster causes thrust loss, resulting in the reduction of anode efficiency.

• OSTI ID: 22217973
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 103; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANODES
CURRENTS
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRONS
EQUIPMENT
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
REDUCTION
THRUSTERS