Full particle-in-cell simulation methodology for axisymmetric Hall effect thrusters
Abstract
A fully kinetic plasma simulation based upon the particle-in-cell and Monte Carlo collision methodologies was developed to model axisymmetric closed-drift Hall effect thruster discharges. The simulation captures two dimensions in space and three in velocity. All species are modeled as particles. The electric field is solved by Gauss’s law. Electron transport mechanisms include anomalous diffusion, classical diffusion, and wall effects including secondary electron emission. To accelerate the simulation, an artificial ion to electron mass ratio is assumed. An artificial vacuum permittivity is also assumed. The simulation captures many physical features of the discharge, including wall effects and breathing mode oscillations. Thrust is predicted to within 5% and current is predicted to within 16%. A two-temperature electron energy distribution with non-Maxwellian features is also predicted. Axial profiles of plasma density, potential, and temperature compare well with measurements taken with probes embedded in the discharge channel wall.
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The model implemented no numerical tricks (reduced ion mass, increased vacuum permittivity, or geometrical scaling) to accelerate the execution time of the simulation.
“Finally, the model implemented no numerical tricks (reduced ion mass, increased vacuum permittivity [26], or geometrical scaling [27]) to accelerate the execution time of the simulation.”
From Coupling plasma physics and chemistry in the PIC model of electric propulsion: Application to an air-breathing, low-power Hall thruster (2022) · cites this paper as [26]
The Particle-in-Cell (PIC) technique is a Lagrangian/Eulerian (or particle-mesh) method, applicable to low temperature and low pressure discharges like those of electric thrusters that are characterized by a weakly coupled and low collisional plasma, exhibiting non-equilibrium behavior and non-local properties.
“The Particle-in-Cell (PIC) technique 5,31,36-39 is a Lagrangian/Eulerian (or particle-mesh) method, applicable to low temperature and low pressure discharges like those of electric thrusters that are characterized by a weakly coupled and low collisional plasma, exhibiting non-equilibrium behavior and non-local properties.”
From Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms (2023) · cites this paper as [38]
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Latest progress in Hall thrusters plasma modelling
Taccogna, F., & Garrigues, L. (2019) · Reviews of Modern Plasma Physics · doi:10.1007/s41614-019-0033-1 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms
Taccogna, F., Cichocki, F., Eremin, D., Fubiani, G., & Garrigues, L. (2023) · Journal of Applied Physics · doi:10.1063/5.0153862 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Taccogna, F., Cichocki, F., & Minelli, P. (2022) · Frontiers in Physics · doi:10.3389/fphy.2022.1006994 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Finally, the model implemented no numerical tricks (reduced ion mass, increased vacuum permittivity [26], or geometrical scaling [27]) to accelerate the execution time of the simulation.”
Method
- Authors
- Szabo, J., Warner, N., Martinez-Sanchez, M., & Batishchev, O.
- Affiliations
- Busek (United States) (US)
- California Institute of Technology (US)
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Northeastern University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Propulsion and Power
- Published
- 2014-01
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 197-208
- ISSN
- 0748-4658 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-3876
- OpenAlex
- W1974818145
- Cited by
- 79
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 6
- FWCI
- 1.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Propulsion and Power (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Plasma Diagnostics and Applications
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Vacuum and Plasma Arcs
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Keywords
- Hall thruster, particle-in-cell simulation, Monte Carlo collisions, electron transport, anomalous diffusion, secondary electron emission, wall effects, breathing mode oscillations, thrust prediction, non-Maxwellian electron distribution
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