Spatial characteristics of rotating magnetic field (RMF) plasma acceleration method in open magnetic field configuration under partial RMF penetration

2021 
In typical electrodeless radio frequency plasma thrusters, application of a rotating magnetic field (RMF) is expected to drive an azimuthal electron current via the non-linear Hall-term effect, resulting in an additional electromagnetic acceleration effect in the presence of a diverging magnetic field. Large increases in ion Mach number and electron density were found, comparing cases with and without the RMF, under a partial RMF penetration into a plasma. Spatial characteristics of the RMF acceleration were investigated to clarify the causes of these increments: 2D profiles of plasma parameters and time-varying RMF components were measured. Partial penetration of the RMF into plasma with a phase retardation was found, but the RMF azimuthal current was driven. Large diamagnetic current derived from the large density gradient also increased by the RMF application. Synergistic acceleration effect derived from the driven RMF current and the density gradient results in the plasma acceleration effect even under the partial penetration.
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