MAGNETICALLY SHIELDED MINIATURE HALL THRUSTER

摘要

Magnetically shielded miniature Hall thrusters are disclosed that use a unique magnetic field topology that prevents the magnetic field lines from intersecting the discharge channel walls in the acceleration region of the thruster. Instead, the lines of force originating from both the inner and outer pole pieces curve around the downstream edges of the discharge channel and follow the channel walls towards the anode. This unique field topology results in low electron temperature at the discharge channel walls while eliminating strong electric field components that would otherwise lead to high erosion rates and power deposition from ion acceleration into the channel walls.

主权项

1. A miniature Hall thruster, comprising:
a discharge component; the discharge component comprising channel walls defining a discharge channel; an anode disposed in a first end of said discharge channel; the discharge channel having an open second end opposite said first end; the discharge channel configured to create a magnetic shield disposed to at least partially encircle said channel walls of said discharge component; and wherein said magnetic shield is configured to manipulate a magnetic field associated with the discharge component such that the magnetic field extends into said discharge channel from said open second end substantially without intercepting said channel walls of said discharge component so as to prevent a plasma formed in said discharge channel from contacting said channel walls.