High-power Hall thrusters constitute a prominent propulsion method for contemporary deep space exploration missions, yet there remains a scarcity of models adequately suited for space applications. The magnetic circuit of a Hall thruster plays a pivotal role in shaping the magnetic field configuration within the discharge chamber, thereby influencing the thruster’s performance. This paper aims to undertake the design of a magnetic circuit for a high-power Hall thruster, initiating from a thoroughly flight-validated medium-power model. Employing scaling methods, a preliminary magnetic circuit for a 10 kW high-power Hall thruster is designed. Leveraging previously established high-efficiency and high-quality magnetic circuit optimization techniques, an optimized magnetic circuit is attained, resulting in a 24.6% reduction in magnetic circuit mass, a decrease in the magnetic tilt angle from beyond 20° to within 6°, a 10.5% increase in maximum magnetic field strength, and a 19.6% enhancement in magnetic field gradient. The magnetic circuit design for the 10 kW thruster is accomplished, with the projected thrust increase reaching 480% and specific impulse improvement by 20%. The magnetic circuit, designed using finite element methods to precisely match magnetic field requirements, has demonstrated favorable outcomes, validating the effectiveness of the approach.
Tu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.