Numerical models of Hall thruster ionization oscillations
Name
962733864-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
23.59 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
95ac8198fc660b925c2c04406128a8df
Author(s)
Kay, Ewan Samuel
Advisor(s)
Manuel Mart̕nez-Sánchez.
Date Issued
2016
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
In this thesis, low frequency ionization oscillations in Hall thrusters resembling the breathing mode are studied through computational simulation. The relationship between wall erosion and discharge current oscillations is analyzed using particle-in-cell simulation, and a series of parametric simulations is used to determine the effects of macro-particle size, floating body potential, electron injection region, ion time step size, grid refinement, heavy particle mass reduction, and an artificial permittivity factor. These studies help to determine the parameters that will produce accurate simulations in the future, and identify the parts of the model that need improvement. One-dimensional steady and unsteady Hall thruster models, as well as a generalized sheath model are then developed, and the effects of the parameters that determine stability on the thruster's operating conditions are determined.
Description
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2016.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 141-143).
Subjects
Aeronautics and Astronautics.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Terms of Use
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