The Possibility of the Ionization and Acceleration Layer Shifting outside the Magnetic Poles Plane in a Morozov Stationary Plasma Thruster

Abstract

Requirements for stationary Morozov plasma thrusters are increasing due to the expansion of their use. Therefore, attempts are made to improve the organization of operational processes in the thrusters are undertaken to perfect their characteristics and life time. Based on an analysis of the possible solutions of this problem, the most promising is complete removal of the ionization and acceleration layer in the output direction outside the plane of the thruster magnetic system. This will reduce the accelerated ion flow to the discharge chamber walls protecting these elements of the magnetic system. This will also reduce the corresponding energy losses and the wall erosion rate due to their bombardment by accelerated ions. In this paper, we present a confirmation of the practical feasibility of the considered possibility.