Controlling azimuthal spoke modes in a cylindrical Hall thruster using a segmented anode

Journal Article · 24 October 2018 · Plasma Sources Science and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aae42b · OSTI ID:1484177

Shi, Yuan  ^[1]; Raitses, Yevgeny ^[2]; Diallo, Ahmed ^[2]

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1. Princeton Univ., NJ (United States). Dept. of Astrophysical Sciences; Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
2. Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

Azimuthal spoke-like modes commonly occur in E × B discharges. The natural occurrence of the spoke mode is correlated with changes of plasma parameters. Here in this paper, instead of allowing these changes to occur naturally, we report a technique for actively controlling the spoke by adjusting the boundary condition at the anode. The technique is demonstrated using a cylindrical Hall thruster equipped with a segmented anode. By varying the voltage and the relative phases of the anode segments, properties of the azimuthal mode can be altered substantially, as shown by fast camera images and probe diagnostics. This technique may be extended to other Hall discharges in order to either induce or suppress azimuthal activities, and thereby controlling the operation and the performance of the devices.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-09CH11466
• OSTI ID: 1484177
• Journal Information: Plasma Sources Science and Technology, Journal Name: Plasma Sources Science and Technology Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 27; ISSN 1361-6595
• Publisher: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English