Electron-wall Interaction in Hall Thrusters.

Raitses, Y. ; Staack, D. ; Keidar, M. ; Fisch, N. J.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Acceleration;    Electron emission;    Electron temperature;    Electrons;    Plasma;   

RP-ID  :  DE2005836853

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports Library

【 摘 要 】

Electron-wall interaction effects in Hall thrusters are studied through measurements of the plasma response to variations of the thruster channel width and the discharge voltage. The discharge voltage threshold is shown to separate two thruster regimes. Below this threshold, the electron energy gain is constant in the acceleration region and therefore, secondary electron emission (SEE) from the channel walls is insufficient to enhance electron energy losses at the channel walls. Above this voltage threshold, the maximum electron temperature saturates.