Numerical study of electron cyclotron drift instability: Application to Hall thruster
Open accessAbstract
We study the cross-field electron transport in Hall thruster induced by ExB cyclotron drift instability. The investigation tool, consisting of one-dimensional Particle-in-Cell model in the azimuthal drift direction, has been subjected to a convergence study to verify the effects of numerical parameters. The instability evolves keeping the discrete nature of its cyclotron harmonics only for low wavenumbers. A resonance broadening mechanism induced by the electron heating and velocity distribution deformation makes the high-wave numbers disappear in the long non-linear stage. A large wavelength modulation, comparable to the entire azimuthal domain considered is always superimposed. The saturation mechanism is conducted by ions that, due to friction with electrons and trapping in the potential well, heat up and rotate along the electron drift direction. With the best numerical parameters found, the scaling of anomalous mobility with the most important physical quantities (gas and plasma density, magnetic field, accelerating axial electric field and ion mass) has been obtained. Results show that the electron cross-field mobility has a strong dependence from the plasma density and ion mass: for large plasma density, the system undergoes an abrupt change entering in a mode dominated by fluctuation-induced transport, while lighter ions present larger mobility. The scaling of the dominant wavelength detected is compatible with the first harmonic and no transition towards ion acoustic like instability has been observed.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In general situations with large time-modulated electric fields, dropping the potential part of the displacement current and solving for E_ES and E_EM separately is not justified because they are coupled.
“In a general situation, where large time-modulated electric fields can arise due to space charge effects (such as in the plasma sheaths of a capacitively-coupled plasma CCP discharge 119 or in the plasma bulk of a helicon discharge for the m = 0 mode 120 ), dropping the potential part of the displacement current (see Eq. (11)) and solving for E ES and E EM separately is not justified, because they”
From Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms (2023) · cites this paper as [119]
The Introduction discusses fixed axial electric fields in Hall-thruster models, and the Model section describes solving a self-consistent electric field along the ExB direction. Neither addresses dropping the potential part of the displacement current or coupling between electrostatic and electromagnetic fields. Searches for those terms and for time-modulated fields in CCP and helicon discharges found no passage that settles the claim. (LLM, conf=0.74)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredRecently developed energy-conserving PIC and semi-implicit PIC methods demonstrate very attractive properties when applied to EM modeling of plasmas featuring a large ratio between the system size and the Debye length.
“However, the recently developed energy-conserving PIC (ECPIC), or the semi-implicit PIC (ECSIM) methods demonstrate very attractive properties when applied to EM modeling of plasmas featuring a large ratio between the system size and the Debye length 119,140 .”
From Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms (2023) · cites this paper as [119]
The Description of the Model and Numerical Convergence Study (page unavailable) describes an electrostatic 1D PIC-MCC model, not electromagnetic modeling with ECPIC or ECSIM. Searches for those methods and for the claimed system-size-to-Debye-length advantage found no passage assessing their properties. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe ECCOPIC code was verified in an international Hall thruster-related benchmark involving several codes and validated with experimental data, demonstrating the method's functionality.
“The ECCOPICcode employed in Refs. 119, 142, 143, and 331 was verified in an international HT-related benchmark involving several codes 84 and validated with experimental data 119,331 , demonstrating the method's functionality.”
From Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms (2023) · cites this paper as [119]
The Description of the Model and Numerical Convergence Study (page unavailable) describes a 1D PIC-MCC method and a numerical convergence study. The Conclusions (page unavailable) report simulation findings, but neither passage identifies ECCOPIC or reports an international multi-code benchmark or validation against experimental data. Searches for ECCOPIC, benchmarking, and experimental validation found no passage establishing those claims. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Lafleur, T., Baalrud, S. D., & Chabert, P. (2016) · Physics of Plasmas · doi:10.1063/1.4948495 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Three-dimensional structure of electron density fluctuations in the Hall thruster plasma: E × B mode
Tsikata, S., Honoré, C., Lemoine, N., & Grésillon, D. M. (2010) · Physics of Plasmas · doi:10.1063/1.3499350 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 29
- Zhurin VV, Kaufman HR, Robinson RS, Physics of closed drift thrusters. Plasma Sour Sci Technol. (1999) 8:R1. doi: 10.1088/0963-0252/8/1/021 · DOI
- Morozov AI, Savelyev VV. Fundamentals of stationary plasma Thruster theory. In: Kadomtsev BB, Shafranov VD, editors. Reviews of Plasma Physics. Reviews of Plasma Physics, Vol 21. Boston, MA: Springer (2000). p. 203-391. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4615-4309-1_2 · DOI
- Goebel DM, Katz I. Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion: Hall and Ion Thrusters. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons (2008). doi: 10.1002/9780470436448 · DOI · Paper page
- Boeuf JP. Tutorial: physics and modeling of Hall thrusters. J Appl Phys. (2017) 121:011101. doi: 10.1063/1.4972269 · DOI · Paper page
- Morozov AI, Savelyev VV. Theory of the near-wall Conductivity. Plasma Phys Rep. (2001) 27:570-5. doi: 10.1134/1.1385435 · DOI
- Janes GS, Lowder RS. Anomalous electron diffusion and ion acceleration in a low-density plasma. Phys Fluids. (1966) 9:1115-23. doi: 10.1063/1.1761810 · DOI
- Scharfe MK, Thomas CA, Scharfe DB, Gascon N, Cappelli MA, Fernandez E. Shear-based model for electron transport in hybrid Hall thruster simulations. IEEE Trans Plasma Sci. (2008) 36:2058-68. doi: 10.1109/TPS.2008.2004364 · DOI
- Cappelli MA, Young CV, Cha A, Fernandez E. A zero-equation turbulence model for two-dimensional hybrid Hall thruster simulations. Phys Plasmas. (2015) 22:114505. doi: 10.1063/1.4935891 · DOI
- Jorns B. Predictive, data-driven model for the anomalous electron collision frequency in a Hall effect thruster. Plasma Sour Sci Technol. (2018) 27:104007. doi: 10.1088/1361-6595/aae472 · DOI
- Lafleur T, Baalrud SD, Chabert P. Theory for the anomalous electron transport in Hall effect thrusters. II. Kinetic model. Phys Plasmas. (2016) 23:053503. doi: 10.1063/1.4948496 · DOI
- Lafleur T, Baalrud SD, Chabert P. Characteristics and transport effects of the electron drift instability in Hall-effect thrusters. Plasma Sour Sci Technol. (2017) 26:024008. doi: 10.1088/1361-6595/aa56e2 · DOI
- Ducrocq A, Adam JC, Héron A, Laval G. High-frequency electron drift instability in the cross-field configuration of Hall thrusters. Phys Plasmas. (2006) 13:102111. doi: 10.1063/1.2359718 · DOI
- Boeuf JP. Rotating structures in low temperature magnetized plasmas-insight from particle simulations. Front Phys. (2014) 2:74. doi: 10.3389/fphy.2014.00074 · DOI
- Janhunen S, Smolyakov A, Chapurin O, Sydorenko D, Kaganovich I, Raitses Y. Nonlinear structures and anomalous transport in partially magnetized ExB plasmas. Phys Plasmas. (2018) 25:011608. doi: 10.1063/1.50 01206 · DOI
- Katz I, Chaplin H, Lopez Ortega A. Particle-in-cell simulations of Hall thruster acceleration and near plume regions. Phys. Plasmas. (2018) 25:123504. doi: 10.1063/1.5054009 · DOI · Paper page
- Hara K. An overview of discharge plasma modeling for Hall effect thrusters. Plasma Sour Sci Technol. (2019) 28:044001. doi: 10.1088/1361-6595/ ab0f70 · DOI · Paper page
- Héron A, Adam JC, Anomalous conductivity in Hall thrusters: Effects of the non-linear coupling of the electron-cyclotron drift instability with secondary electron emission of the walls. Phys Plasmas. (2013) 20:082313. doi: 10.1063/1.4818796 · DOI
- Croes V, Lafleur T, Bonaventura Z, Bourdon A, Chabert P, 2D particle-in- cell simulations of the electron drift instability and associated anomalous electron transport in Hall-effect thrusters. Plasma Sour Sci Technol. (2017) 26:034001. doi: 10.1088/1361-6595/aa550f · DOI · Paper page
- Janhunen S, Smolyakov A, Sydorenko D, Jimenez M, Kaganovich I, Raitses Y. Evolution of the electron cyclotron drift instability in two-dimensions. Phys Plasmas. (2018) 25:082308. doi: 10.1063/1.5033896 · DOI · Paper page
- Tavant A, Croes V, Lucken R, Lafleur T, Bourdon A, Chabert P. The effects of secondary electron emission on plasma sheath characteristics and electron transport in an ExB discharge via kinetic simulations. Plasma Sour Sci Technol. (2018) 27:124001. doi: 10.1088/1361-6595/aaeccd · DOI · Paper page
- Taccogna F, Minelli P, Asadi Z, Bogopolsky G. Numerical studies of the ExB electron drift instability in Hall thrusters. Plasma Sour Sci Technol. (2019) 28:064002. doi: 10.1088/1361-6595/ab08af · DOI · Paper page
- Adam JC, Héron A, Laval G. Study of stationary plasma thrusters using two-dimensional fully kinetic simulations. Phys Plasmas. (2004) 11:295. doi: 10.1063/1.1632904 · DOI
- Coche P, Garrigues L, A two-dimensional (azimuthal-axial) particle-in-cell model of a Hall thruster. Phys Plasmas. (2014) 21:023503. doi: 10.1063/1.4864625 · DOI
- Lafleur T, Chabert P, The role of instability-enhanced friction on 'anomalous' electron and ion transport in Hall-effect thrusters. Plasma Sour Sci Technol. (2018) 27:015003. doi: 10.1088/1361-6595/ aa9efe · DOI
- Lafleur T, Martorelli R, Chabert P, Bourdon A. Anomalous electron transport in Hall-effect thrusters: comparison between quasi-linear kinetic theory and particle-in-cell simulations. Phys Plasmas. (2018) 25:061202. doi: 10.1063/1.5017626 · DOI
- Boeuf JP, Garrigues L. ExB electron drift instability in hall thrusters: particle-in-cell simulations vs. theory. Phys Plasmas. (2018) 25:061204. doi: 10.1063/1.5017033 · DOI
- Napolitano M. A FORTRAN subroutine for the solution of periodic block-tridiagonal systems. Commun Appl Numer Meth. (1985) 1:11- 15. doi: 10.1002/cnm.1630010104 · DOI
- Muschietti L, Lembège B. Microturbulence in the electron cyclotron frequency range at perpendicular supercritical shocks. J Geophys Res. (2013) 118:2267-85. doi: 10.1002/jgra.50224 · DOI
- Sadiku MNO. Numerical Techniques in Electromagnetics. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press (2001).
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Physics of E <b>×</b> B discharges relevant to plasma propulsion and similar technologies
Kaganovich, I. D., Smolyakov, A., Raitses, Y., Ahedo, E., Mikellides, I. G., Jorns, B., Taccogna, F., Gueroult, R., Tsikata, S., Bourdon, A., et al. (2020) · Physics of Plasmas · doi:10.1063/5.0010135 · Cited by 202 · see citing works
“1D azimuthal 106,163,191 and 2D azimuthal–radial 24,146,190,243 models must mimic the particle transport along the axial coordinate: to avoid unphysical energy growth, particles are reinjected as new colder particles when they have traveled a prescribed axial distance.”
Self-citationPlasma 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
Self-citation
- Authors
- Asadi, Z., Taccogna, F., & Sharifian, M.
- Affiliations
- Yazd University (IR)
- Institute for the Science and Technology of Plasmas (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Taccogna, Francesco
- Venue
- Frontiers in Physics
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2019-09-27
- Volume
- 7
- ISSN
- 2296-424X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2975022895
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5
- FWCI
- 0.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Frontiers in Physics (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- INFM-OAR (INFN Catania) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (other-oa)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Plasma Diagnostics and Applications
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Dust and Plasma Wave Phenomena
- Keywords
- electron cyclotron drift instability, Hall thruster, cyclotron harmonics, resonance broadening, ion heating, fluctuation-induced transport, ion trapping, ion mass dependence, plasma density dependence, wavelength modulation, particle-in-cell simulation
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
