2D plasma now in a magnetic nozzle with a bi-modal Electron Energy Distribution Function

摘要

A two-dimensional plasma beam model is used to investigate the influence of a bi-modal Electron Energy Distribution Function, based on hot and cold electron populations, on the expansion of a current-free plasma through a divergent magnetic nozzle. Main results include the 2D plasma property profiles along the nozzle, for the complete quasineutral expansion regime; an analysis of quasineutral profile steepening and double layer formation in terms of the electron population parameters; the 2D structure of these flow features; and a study of their influence in the thrust, specific impulse, and plume efficiency provided by the nozzle.