Research on the influence of the magnetic pole potential on Hall thruster plume

• Published in: Vacuum Vol. 241; p. 114605
• Main Authors: Cao, Xifeng, Wang, Yihan, Xia, Guojun, Chen, Juhui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2025
• Subjects: Additional electrode; Erosion; Hall thruster; Magnetic pole; Plume divergence; Hall thruster; Magnetic pole; Additional electrode; Plume divergence; Erosion
• ISSN: 0042-207X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2025.114605

This study investigates the influence of magnetic pole potential (MPP) on the discharge process of Hall thruster, which are plasma propulsion devices used for satellite attitude control and position-keeping. The divergent plume of Hall thruster can cause erosion to the thruster and satellite solar panels. An additional electrode is an effective method to suppress plume divergence. In this research, an additional potential was directly applied to the magnetic pole, and both experimental and simulation methods were employed. Results show that increasing the additional potential on the magnetic pole can effectively suppress ion divergence. Specifically, when the MPP is 30 V, the plume divergence angle is reduced by 12.6 ± 0.19 % and 13.1 ± 0.20 % compared to the floating potential condition, for anode voltages of 300 V and 400 V, respectively. However, this increase in potential also leads to a thrust loss of less than 1.46 ± 0.03 %, primarily due to electron loss caused by the elevated MPP. Simulation results indicate that the additional potential reduces the potential difference between the channel outlet and the magnetic pole, thereby decreasing the axial velocity of ions on the magnetic pole surface and reducing ion bombardment. Additionally, the reduction in divergence angle is attributed to the decreased radial diffusion of ions caused by the increased additional potential. In conclusion, applying additional potential to the magnetic pole is an effective method to suppress plume divergence and mitigate magnetic pole erosion. •The distribution of the plume is adjusted by adding potential to the magnetic pole.•Increasing the magnetic pole potential can suppress the radial diffusion of ions within the plume region.•Increasing the magnetic pole potential can effectively reduce ion bombardment on the surface of the magnetic pole.