Eur. Phys. J. D (2017) 71: 72
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2017-70678-8

Regular Article

Coupling intensity between discharge and magnetic circuit in Hall thrusters^*

Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, HeiLongjiang 150001, P.R. China

^a e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 3 November 2016
Received in final form: 23 January 2017
Published online: 23 March 2017

Abstract

Coupling oscillation is a newly discovered plasma oscillation mode that utilizes the coupling between the discharge circuit and magnetic circuit, whose oscillation frequency spectrum ranges from several kilohertz to megahertz. The coupling coefficient parameter represents the intensity of coupling between the discharge and magnetic circuits. According to previous studies, the coupling coefficient is related to the material and the cross-sectional area of the magnetic coils, and the magnetic circuit of the Hall thruster. However, in our recent study on coupling oscillations, it was found that the Hall current equivalent position and radius have important effects on the coupling intensity between the discharge and magnetic circuits. This causes a difference in the coupling coefficient for different operating conditions of Hall thrusters. Through non-intrusive methods for measuring the Hall current equivalent radius and the axial position, it is found that with an increase in the discharge voltage and magnetic field intensity, the Hall current equivalent radius increases and its axial position moves towards the exit plane. Thus, both the coupling coefficient and the coupling intensity between the discharge and magnetic circuits increase.