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A basic predator-prey type model for low frequency discharge oscilations in Hall thrusters

  • Ch Wang
  • , L. Wei
  • , D. Yu*
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • Harbin Institute of Technology

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The mechanism of low frequency oscillations in Hall thrusters is usually explained using the predator-prey type model, but the reasonable boundary conditions for the model have not been given. Analyses on thrusters' model equations show that besides the processes of neutral replenishment and ionization avalanche, the effects of dynamic electric field are also necessary for low frequency oscillations. The dynamic electric field reflects the interaction of ionization zone with acceleration zone, and is embodied in boundary conditions of the predator-prey type model. Furthermore, a basic predator-prey type model with reasonable boundary conditions and complete physical mechanism is proposed. And the effects of electric field on low frequency oscillations are verified by experiment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)981-988
Number of pages8
JournalContributions to Plasma Physics
Volume51
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2011

Keywords

  • Hall thruster
  • Low frequency oscillation
  • Mechanism

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