Performance enhancement of Hall Effect Thrusters using radiofrequency excitation

Radiofrequency excitation in single-stage Hall Effect Thrusters is proposed as a method to increase the performance of these devices. The topology magnetic and electric field within makes it possible excite quasistatic waves which travel longitudinally through channel across magnetostatic field, whose resonances are found at electron cyclotron gyrofrequency its upper harmonics. An in-house pseudo 2-dimensional axial–radial Particle-In-Cell software developed Imperial Plasma Propulsion Laboratory called PlasmaSim verified validated against Russian thruster SPT-100 adapted be used computational tool analyze plasma-wave interactions. A benchmark case study for plasma simulation codes proposed, in-channel properties evaluated this analysis. In terms performance, comparison between simulated experimental measurements shows average values agreement with thrust, specific impulse anode efficiency, over full range discharge power conditions SPT-100. radiofrequency vary ground reference potential neutralizing hollow cathode high frequency. frequencies established on basis hot plasmas’ theory, candidate varying 0.1 GHz 2 device. Simulation’s results give deeper insight into nature their propagation plasma. Quantitative analyses function frequency reported, showing impact properties. thruster’s total taken sum DC AC power, calculated numerically from based time current voltage. Taking an SPT-100, improvement 30% 15% thrust 13% obtained most optimum configuration voltage (fRF=450 MHz, VRF=10 V).