Discharge channel configuration effect on the discharge characteristics of cylindrical Hall thrusters

Experimental and simulation research of the cylindrical Hall thruster was conducted through comparing different discharge channel configurations (i.e., the straight channel, the expanding cross-section channel and the mixed cross-section channel). Research results show the expanding cross-section channel design has poor performance parameters due to the severe reduction of the propellant density. The mixed cross-section channel can achieve a larger propellant utilization compared with the straight channel. However, the main ionization region moves toward the axis and ions cannot get a sufficient potential drop for acceleration compared with the straight channel. Therefore, the measured thrust and the anode efficiency of the mixed cross-section channel are smaller than those of the straight channel.