Numerical analysis of azimuthal rotating spokes in a crossed-field discharge plasma

Abstract

Low-frequency rotating spokes are obtained in a cross-field discharge plasma using two-dimensional numerical simulations. A particle-fluid hybrid model is used to model the plasma flow in a configuration similar to a Hall thruster. It has been reported that the drift-diffusion approximation for an electron fluid results in an ill-conditioned matrix when solving for the potential because of the differences in the electron mobilities across the magnetic field and in the direction of the E$\times$B drift. In this paper, we employ a hyperbolic approach that enables stable calculation, namely, better iterative convergence of the electron fluid model. Our simulation results show a coherent rotating structure propagating in the E$\times$B direction with a phase velocity of 2,500 m/s, which agrees with experimental data. The phase velocity obtained from the numerical simulations shows good agreement with that predicted by the dispersion relation of the gradient drift instability.

arXiv comment13 pages, 9 figures

References in corpus (2)

• A hyperbolic-equation system approach for magnetized electron fluids in quasi-neutral plasmas
• A flux-splitting method for hyperbolic-equation system of magnetized electron fluids in quasi-neutral plasmas

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Perspectives on Physics of ExB Discharges Relevant to Plasma Propulsion and Similar Technologies
• Scaling of Spoke Rotation Frequency within a Penning Discharge
• Direct evidence of the gradient drift instability being the origin of a rotating spoke in a crossed field plasma
• Two-dimensional hybrid model of gradient drift instability and enhanced electron transport in a Hall thruster
• Three-dimensional Helical-rotating Plasma Structures in Beam-generated Partially Magnetized Plasmas
• Evolution of electron cross-field transport induced by an equilibrium azimuthal electric field in an $\mathrm{E}\times \mathrm{B}$ Hall thruster discharge under an azimuthally inhomogeneous neutral supply