Non-Maxwellian electron effects on the macroscopic response of a Hall thruster discharge from an axial–radial kinetic model

Abstract

Abstract A 2D axial–radial particle-in-cell (PIC) model of a Hall thruster discharge has been developed to analyze (mainly) the fluid equations satisfied by the azimuthally-averaged slow dynamics of electrons. Their weak collisionality together with a strong interaction with the thruster walls lead to a non-Maxwellian velocity distribution function (VDF). Consequently, the resulting macroscopic response differs from a conventional collisional fluid. First, the gyrotropic (diagonal) part of the pressure tensor is anisotropic. Second, its gyroviscous part, although small, is relevant in the azimuthal momentum balance, where the dominant contributions are orders of magnitude lower than in the axial momentum balance. Third, the heat flux vector does not satisfy simple laws, although convective and conductive behaviors can be identified for the parallel and perpendicular components, respectively. And fourth, the electron wall interaction parameters can differ largely from the classical sheath theory, based on near Maxwellian VDF. Furthermore, these effects behave differently in the near-anode and near-exit regions of the channel. Still, the profiles of basic plasma magnitudes agree well with those of 1D axial fluid models. To facilitate the interpretation of the plasma response, a quasiplanar geometry, a purely-radial magnetic field, and a simple empirical model of cross-field transport were used; but realistic configurations and a more elaborate anomalous diffusion formulation can be incorporated. Computational time was controlled by using an augmented vacuum permittivity and a stationary depletion law for neutrals.