Accession Number:

AD1105890

Title:

Toward predictive modeling of ExB plasma discharges

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report,01 Mar 2018,29 Feb 2020

Corporate Author:

University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Canada

Personal Author(s):

• Smolyakov,Andrei

Report Date:

2020-04-16

Pagination or Media Count:

19.0

Abstract:

This research programme is devoted to the development of physics models and modelling tools toward an understanding ofthe behavior of large scale coherent structures and anomalous transport in ExB plasma relevant to the electric propulsion. Weare using the reduced simplified theoretical models in combinations with fluid and kinetic simulations to address somespecific problems inspired and suggested by experimental observations, primarily from the Hall thruster and Penningdischarge experiments at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Specifically, we have developed the model for breathingmodes including the effects of the external drive, have confirmed theoretically and experimentally the presence of gradientdriftdriven modes in the Penning discharge, have theoretically demonstrated the modes transitions and saturation of the driftdriven instabilities in Hall thrusters via the formation of large scale spoke-like structures and identified a novel mechanism ofthe anomalous electron transport in the region with low or negligible axial electric field such as the plume region.

Descriptors:

• electric propulsion
• long wavelengths
• plasmonic devices
• ion density
• hall thrusters
• collisions
• plasma instabilities
• oscillation
• predictive modeling

Subject Categories:

• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE