Magnetized fluid electron model within a two-dimensional hybrid simulation code for electrodeless plasma thrusters

An axisymmetric fluid model for weakly-collisional, magnetized electrons is introduced and coupled to a particle-in-cell model for heavy species to simulate electrodeless plasma thrusters. The numerical treatment of the model is based on a semi-implicit time scheme, and specific algorithms for solving on a magnetic field aligned mesh. Simulation results of the plasma transport are obtained for a virtual electrodeless thruster. The particle and energy fluxes of electrons are discussed. A first phenomenological model is included for the anomalous cross-field electron transport, and a second one for the anomalous parallel-field electron cooling in the plume. The balances of the plasma properties reveal that wall losses are the crucial reason for the poor thrust efficiency of these thrusters. The magnetic thrust inside the source could be negative and largely depending on the location of the magnetic throat, which is found uncoupled from the location of the plasma beam sonic surface. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the results against the simulated plume extension shows that finite plumes imply an incomplete electron expansion, which leads to underestimating the performances.

Automated summary

This paper introduces an axisymmetric fluid model to simulate electrodeless plasma thrusters. Numerical simulations are conducted to study plasma transport and discuss particle and energy fluxes of electrons. The results indicate that wall losses greatly affect the thrust efficiency of these thrusters, and a sensitivity analysis shows that the performance is underestimated due to incomplete electron expansion in finite plumes.