Computational Model of an Spt-100 Thruster

Existing models have developed computational Hall thruster codes to a level where qualitative features of the plasma and electric field can be reproduced. These results are possible only with the use of corrections to various transport and energy parameters; however, these corrections are not rigorously defined by the actual physics governing these processes. This paper presents a 2-D hybrid PIC-MCC with an explicit electron energy formulation. The results presented focus on a particular correction factor introduced by Boeuf and Garrigues which influences the electron mobility and electron energy loss rate. This correction factor, α, is varied over a range which resembles typical thruster operation and results are presented. The model is applied to a SPT-100 Hall thruster. The electron energy profile is shown to be highly dependent on the α parameter through the electron energy loss rate. Finally, detailed results are presented for a specific case.