A flexible magnetic circuit dedicated to Hall effect Thruster experiment

Abstract

This paper deals with a magnetic circuit dedicated to Hall effect Thruster experiment. Compared with conventional magnetic circuit used in Hall Effect Thruster, the aim of this new magnetic circuit is to control many characteristics on the magnetic topology generated in the plasma channel. From a reference magnetic topology generated in a plasma channel given in specifications, the magnetic circuit must be able to vary the magnetic field maximal value in the plasma channel, the gradient of the magnetic field at the exit plane of the plasma channel and many other characteristics. This paper presents first the specifications of the magnetic circuit. The second part details the design of the magnetic circuit taking into account the environmental conditions operation in spatial experiment test bench. Finally, the last part illustrates several magnetic topologies feasible by this new magnetic circuit.