Investigation of cross-field electron transport in Hall Effect Thrusters using 1D axial PIC/MCC simulation*

A one-dimensional (1D) particle-in cell Monte Carlo collision (PIC/MCC) model is developed to investigate kinetic effects of cross-field electron transport in Hall effect thrusters. The inertia terms such as the shear term are evaluated from the non-Maxwellian velocity distribution function (VDFs). While the discharge current obtained from the PIC/MCC model is in good agreement with the five-moment fluid model, the plasma properties in the cross-field discharge are compared. In particular, we discuss the anisotropic pressure tensor that arise from non-Maxwellian VDFs near the anode sheath and in the region where the gradient of  E×B drift exists.