Reduced-order particle-in-cell scheme: redefining kinetic modelling for electric plasma propulsion
File(s)
Author(s)
Reza, Maryam
Faraji, Farbod
Knoll, Aaron
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations are powerful tools for detailed, high-fidelity study of the plasma behavior in electric propulsion technologies such as Hall thrusters, in which the multiscale, nonlinear, and kinetic processes exist that not only locally affect the plasma, but can also lead to the formation of large-scale, coherent, global structures and oscillations. However, due to the significant computational cost of traditional PIC codes without any speed-up techniques and/or physics-altering parameter scaling, they are most often applied over a limited set of conditions and/or simulation parameters. Indeed, traditional PIC codes cannot be deemed as tools suitable for extensive parametric studies within practical timeframes. The reduced-order PIC scheme, the cost-efficiency and accuracy of which have been verified in prior publications, changes the current notion regarding the applicability and the use cases of a PIC code toward investigating the science behind plasma propulsion. Through this article, we demonstrate the capability of the reduced-order PIC to enable investigating the underlying plasma phenomena over a broad parameter space that is of significance from both a fundamental and an applied perspective. The parametric simulations assess the influence that the magnitude of the applied electromagnetic field and the curvature of the magnetic field can have on the plasma behavior in a radial-azimuthal configuration representative of a Hall thruster when using different propellants - xenon, krypton, and argon. The results show that the studied factors induce notable variations in the spectra of the azimuthal instabilities. These variations consequently affect the macroscopic distribution of the plasma properties, the electrons’ mobility, and the divergence of the ion beam. The derived unique insights majorly advance our understanding of the physics of Hall-thruster-like cross-field plasma discharges.
Date Issued
2024-01-04
Date Acceptance
2023-12-04
Citation
AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum, 2024
Publisher
AIAA
Journal / Book Title
AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum
Copyright Statement
© 2024 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Source
AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum
Publication Status
Published online
Start Date
2024-01-08
Finish Date
2024-01-12
Coverage Spatial
Orlando, Florida, USA
Date Publish Online
2024-01-04