Improving the ion thruster scheme. I. Dependence of efficiency parameters on the value of magnetic field induction

The current article describes the results of studies of the dependence of the efficiency parameters of an ion thruster on the magnitude of the magnetic field induction in a discharge chamber with ionization of the propellant in a direct current discharge. As part of the work, fire tests were carried out on an ion thruster with various configurations of the magnetic system, differing in the magnitude of the magnetic field induction, but having a single topology. Based on the test results, efficiency curves and radial distributions of the ion beam current density for the studied configurations were obtained. Based on the data obtained, the dependences of the efficiency parameters of the ion thruster on the magnitude of the magnetic field induction were formulated. An increase in the induction value in the discharge chamber corresponded to an increase in the discharge voltage, as well as a decrease in the uniformity of the distribution of the ion beam current density and the ion cost. The results of the work are fully consistent with earlier studies.