Parallelization of particle-in-cell simulation modeling Hall-effect thrusters
Name
60493988-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
13.07 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
01204038cc3e917f3a4d520ac8063099
Author(s)
Fox, Justin M., 1981-
Advisor(s)
Manuel Martinez-Sanchez.
Date Issued
2005
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
MIT's fully kinetic particle-in-cell Hall thruster simulation is adapted for use on parallel clusters of computers. Significant computational savings are thus realized with a predicted linear speed up efficiency for certain large-scale simulations. The MIT PIC code is further enhanced and updated with the accuracy of the potential solver, in particular, investigated in detail. With parallelization complete, the simulation is used for two novel investigations. The first examines the effect of the Hall parameter profile on simulation results. It is concluded that a constant Hall parameter throughout the entire simulation region does not fully capture the correct physics. In fact, it is found empirically that a Hall parameter structure which is instead peaked in the region of the acceleration chamber obtains much better agreement with experiment. These changes are incorporated into the evolving MIT PIC simulation. The second investigation involves the simulation of a high power, central-cathode thruster currently under development. This thruster presents a unique opportunity to study the efficiency of parallelization on a large scale, high power thruster. Through use of this thruster, we also gain the ability to explicitly simulate the cathode since the thruster was designed with an axial cathode configuration.
Description
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 136-139).
Subjects
Aeronautics and Astronautics.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Terms of Use
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