Analysis of small scale fluctuations in Hall effect thrusters using virtual Thomson scattering on PIC simulations

Hall effect thrusters are yet not fully understood due to multiple open questions, among which the anomalous electron transport is most challenging. Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations suggested that strongly affected by small-scale instabilities can be investigated experimentally using Collective Thomson Scattering (CTS). In this paper, we perform a virtual CTS diagnostic on PIC data in order investigate these small scales and relate simulation experiments. The performed density maps from simplified 2D axial-azimuthal simulation. Analysis along channel axis showed two dominant modes at 8 3 rad mm−1. These exhibit ion-acoustic wave features appear selectively acceleration of ions when transitioning ionization zone zone. A numerical study fluctuation rate also obtained profiles compared PIC. This reveals integrates both axial azimuthal fluctuations spatial extension scattering volume. Moreover, it highlights importance good estimation volume for an accurate rate.