Particle-in-cell simulation of a cylindrical Hall anode layer plasma accelerator

The Plasma in cylindrical Hall anode layer plasma accelerator is simulated by the two-dimensional particle-in-cell method. Monte Carlo collision method is used to simulate the collision among particles. The distribution of electrons an ions, the movement of ion beam and the energy distribution of ions near the exit plane are studied. The result shows that the magnetic field effectively confines the electrons. Electrons are collected in a small region. Due to the special electromagnetic field, the ion beam has a two-peaked distribution. Near the exit plane, the ion energy ranges from 20% to 100% of the anode voltage. The average energy of ions near the exit plane is about 40%—50% of the anode voltage.