Effects of Magnetic Field and Ion Velocity on SPT Plasma Sheath Characteristics

• Published in: Plasma science & technology Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 161 - 167
• Main Author: 段萍 周新维 刘嫒 曹安宁 覃海娟 陈龙 殷燕
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Channels; Coefficients; Computer simulation; Electron emission; Ion velocity; Magnetic fields; Plasma sheaths; Sheaths; SPT; Walls; 二次电子发射系数; 放电过程; 特性; 电势振荡; 磁场方向; 等离子体鞘层; 速度
• ISSN: 1009-0630
• DOI: 10.1088/1009-0630/16/2/13

The distribution of magnetic field in Hall thruster channel has significant effect on its discharge process and wall plasma sheath characteristics. By creating physical models for the wall sheath region and adopting two-dimensional particle in cell simulation method, this work aims to investigate the effects of magnitude and direction of magnetic field and ion velocity on the plasma sheath characteristics. The simulation results show that magnetic field magnitudes have small impact on the sheath potential and the secondary electron emission coefficient, magnetic azimuth between the magnetic field direction and the channel radial direction is proportional to the absolute value of the sheath potential, but inversely proportional to the secondary electron emission coefficient. With the increase of the ion incident velocity, secondary electron emission coefficient is enhanced, however, electron density number, sheath potential and radial electric field are decreased. When the boundary condition is determined, with an increase of the sinmlation area radial scale, the sheath potential oscillation is aggravated, and the stability of the sheath is reduced.