Effect of the plasma-induced magnetic field on a magnetic nozzle. (21st June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merino, Mario; Ahedo, Eduardo
• Is Part Of: Plasma sources science & technology. Volume 25:Number 4(2016:Aug.)
• Publication Date: 2016-06-21
• Subjects: magnetic nozzle -- plasma expansion -- electric propulsion -- plasma thruster; Plasma (Ionized gases) -- Periodicals; 530.44
• DOI: 10.1088/0963-0252/25/4/045012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-0252

Abstract

Abstract: A two-fluid, two-dimensional model of the plasma expansion in a divergent magnetic nozzle is used to investigate the effect of the plasma-induced magnetic field on the acceleration and divergence of the plasma jet self-consistently. The induced field is diamagnetic and opposes the applied one, increasing the divergence of the magnetic nozzle and weakening its strength. This has a direct impact on the propulsive performance of the device, the demagnetization and detachment of the plasma, and can lead to the appearance of zero-field points and separatrix surfaces downstream. In contrast, the azimuthal induced field, albeit non-zero, is small in all cases of practical interest.