A HALL EFFECT PLASMA ACCELERATOR

摘要

A Hall effect plasma accelerator comprises an annular accelerating channel. A radial magnetic field is applied across the channel between magnetic poles of opposite polarity. Instead of these magnetic poles being linked by magnetic material extending around the closed end of the channel so as to form a single magnet, the invention proposes that the magnetic poles be defined on bodies of material which are magnetically separate. This allows the designer to have greater freedom in selecting the dimensions of the thruster in general and of the magnetic system in particular, thereby giving an opportunity to improve thruster efficiency and to manufacture thrusters having a wide variety of different shapes depending on available space.