HPHall software simulates and tracks the time-dependent evolution of the plasma and erosion processes in the discharge chamber and near-field plume of Hall thrusters. HPHall is an axisymmetric solver that employs a hybrid fluid/ particle-in-cell (Hybrid-PIC) numerical approach. HPHall, originally developed by MIT in 1998, was upgraded to HPHall-2 by the Polytechnic University of Madrid in 2006. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has continued the development of HPHall-2 through upgrades to the physical models employed in the code, and the addition of entirely new ones.
Primary among these are the inclusion of a three-region electron mobility model that more accurately depicts the cross-field electron transport, and the development of an erosion sub-model that allows for the tracking of the erosion of the discharge chamber wall. The code is being developed to provide NASA science missions with a predictive tool of Hall thruster performance and lifetime that can be used to validate Hall thrusters for missions.
This work was done by Richard R. Hofer, Ira Katz, and Ioannis G. Mikellides of Caltech and Manuel Gamero-Castano of the University of California, Irvine for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Hybrid-PIC Computer Simulation of the Plasma and Erosion Processes in Hall Thrusters
(reference NPO-46513) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document titled "Hybrid-PIC Computer Simulation of the Plasma and Erosion Processes in Hall Thrusters" (NPO-46513) details the advancements in the HPHall software, developed for simulating the plasma dynamics and erosion processes within Hall thrusters. Hall thrusters are a type of electric propulsion system used in spacecraft, and understanding their performance and longevity is crucial for NASA's missions.
HPHall employs a hybrid fluid/particle-in-cell (hybrid-PIC) numerical approach, allowing for the detailed simulation of the discharge chamber and the near-field plume of Hall thrusters. Originally developed by Fife and Martínez-Sánchez, the software has undergone significant upgrades by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to enhance its predictive capabilities regarding thruster performance and erosion over time.
Key improvements in the JPL version of HPHall include modifications to the physical models governing various processes such as neutral particle behavior, wall sheaths, cross-field electron mobility, secondary electron emission, wall sputtering, and ionization processes. A notable addition is a new erosion sub-model that tracks the evolution of the discharge chamber walls, providing insights into how the thruster's materials degrade over time.
The software aims to predict the performance and erosion of Hall thrusters based on their operating conditions and expected lifetime, making it a valuable tool for validating thruster designs for future NASA science missions. The document references several studies and papers that have contributed to the development and validation of the models used in HPHall, highlighting the collaborative nature of this research.
In summary, the document outlines the capabilities and enhancements of the HPHall simulation software, emphasizing its role in advancing the understanding of Hall thruster technology. By providing a predictive tool for performance and erosion, HPHall supports NASA's efforts to ensure the reliability and efficiency of electric propulsion systems in space exploration. The ongoing development of this software reflects a commitment to improving aerospace technologies and their applications in scientific missions.
