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Title: Resistive instabilities in Hall current plasma discharge

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1336531· OSTI ID:40205985

Plasma perturbations in the acceleration channel of a Hall thruster are found to be unstable in the presence of collisions. Both electrostatic lower-hybrid waves and electromagnetic Alfven waves transverse to the applied electric and magnetic field are found to be unstable due to collisions in the ExB electron flow. These results are obtained assuming a two-fluid hydrodynamic model in slab geometry. The characterisitic frequencies of these modes are consistent with experimental observations in Hall current plasma thrusters.

Sponsoring Organization:
(US)
OSTI ID:
40205985
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 8, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1336531; Othernumber: PHPAEN000008000002000648000001; 016102PHP; PBD: Feb 2001; ISSN 1070-664X
Publisher:
The American Physical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English