Electron cross-field transport from sub plasma structures in an E×B Hall thruster discharge under the azimuthally modulated neutrals and magnetic field*

The induced azimuthal electric field in a Hall thruster yields electron cross-field transport that is scaled by 1/B. In this study, we artificially induce a non-zero macroscopic equilibrium azimuthal electric field by modulating neutral particles and magnetic fields in the azimuth dimension. Both experimental and numerical efforts are made to understand the plasma structure formation over distinct regions of Hall thrusters, such as the ionization, acceleration, and plume region. With a fast Fourier transform analysis, sub-plasma structures are studied, and dominant components being responsible for the axial electron transport are identified. Lastly, spatial evolutions of affecting parameters on the transport by the azimuthal electric field are obtained, and regional characteristics are discussed.