Physics of E × B discharges relevant to plasma propulsion and similar technologies
Abstract
This paper provides perspectives on recent progress in understanding the physics of devices in which the external magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the discharge current. This configuration generates a strong electric field that acts to accelerate ions. The many applications of this set up include generation of thrust for spacecraft propulsion and separation of species in plasma mass separation devices. These “E × B” plasmas are subject to plasma–wall interaction effects and to various micro- and macroinstabilities. In many devices we also observe the emergence of anomalous transport. This perspective presents the current understanding of the physics of these phenomena and state-of-the-art computational results, identifies critical questions, and suggests directions for future research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1063/5.0010135
Entities
People
- A. Fruchtman
- A. I. Smolyakov
- Alexander V. Khrabrov
- Andrew Tasman Powis
- Anne Bourdon
- Benjamin Jorns
- Eduardo Ahedo
- Francesco Taccogna
- Igor Kaganovich
- Ioannis G. Mikellides
- Irina Schweigert
- Jean-Pierre Boeuf
- Johan A. Carlsson
- K. Matyash
- Kentaro Hara
- Mario Merino
- Mark Cappelli
- Michael Keidar
- Nathaniel Fisch
- Pascal Chabert
- Renaud Gueroult
- Rod W. Boswell
- Sédina Tsikata
- Trevor Lafleur
- Yevgeny Raitses
Organizations
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Australian National University
- CNES
- California Institute of Technology
- Compute Canada
- George Washington University
- Holon Institute of Technology
- Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
- Israel Science Foundation
- National Science Foundation
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
- Russian Science Foundation
- Stanford University
- United States Department of Energy
- University of Greifswald
- University of Michigan
- University of Saskatchewan
- University of Toulouse (1896-1968)
- École polytechnique