3D PIC Simulations on Hall Thruster Electron Drift Instability: Influence of Magnetic Field on Electron Transport

TL;DR

This study uses 3D particle-in-cell simulations to explore how magnetic field configurations influence electron transport and drift instabilities in Hall thrusters, revealing asymmetries and guiding improved modeling.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of magnetic field effects on electron transport in Hall thrusters using 3D PIC simulations, highlighting differences between analytic and realistic magnetic models.

Findings

Radial magnetic field variations cause asymmetric electron transport.

Effective electron mobility aligns with direct simulation measurements.

Two-dimensional transport profiles aid in developing reduced models.

Abstract

Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are employed to investigate electron transport characteristics in Hall thrusters, with particular focus on how magnetic field configuration affects the electron transport due to electron drift instabilities. Comparing analytic and realistic magnetic field models reveals significant differences in electron transport patterns, where radial variations in field strength lead to asymmetric transport enhanced in low-field regions. The derived effective electron mobility shows agreement with direct simulation diagnoses, and the obtained two-dimensional transport profiles provide a foundation for developing more accurate reduced-dimensional models.