Fully Kinetic Modeling of Low-Power Hall Thrusters

摘要: Great progress in numerical simulation of physical processes Hall thrusters is evident at present time. The most promising direction this area fully kinetic models. They allow seeing detailed distributions thruster discharge plasma parameters without taking into account considerable assumptions. Despite significant computational costs models it possible now to perform lowmid power reasonable Goals research conducted within work were predict integral characteristics and discover structure low-power created Keldysh Research Center. Special software package for solution the model was developed investigate these objectives. tested on problems approved by modeling a set operational modes thruster. Theoretical two-dimensional space three dimensional velocities treats electrons, ions neutrals as particles. Kinetic equations are solved using particles method while collisions modeled Monte-Carlo method. Dynamics all types traced electron time scale. Electric field self-consistent found from Poisson equation solution. Different materials (metal or ceramic) chamber interior taken boundary conditions. Secondary emission too. All results trends good agreement with experimental data. Some discrepancies experiment call improvements model. With help there gained an idea about In particular dependence ionization core temperature position magnetic topology. Also explained growth thrust efficiency raise power.