Numerical simulation of magnetic field and channel configuration effect on cusped field thruster with electron cyclotron resonance discharge enhancement

Cusped field thrusters with electron cyclotron resonance discharge enhancement have great potential in micro-Newton propulsion field. According to the magnetic field and channel configuration, the thruster can be divided into 1-stage thruster, 2-stage thruster and 3-stage thruster. The ionization region and acceleration region of the 1-stage thruster are located at the channel upstream, which causes a large amount of wall power deposition, resulting in poor performance. Due to the shorter channel of the 2-stage thruster, it is easier for electrons to reach the ECR layer on the near-antenna region to obtain energy to promote ionization, compared with 3-stage thruster. In addition, the magnetic cusp number of the 2-stage thruster wall is lower than that of the 3-stage thruster, reducing the total wall power deposition. It is necessary to use 2-stage short channel configuration to design the thruster. •The discharge process of the ECR-enhanced cusped field thruster is studied by numerical simulation for the first time.•The discharge process of the ECR-enhanced cusped field thruster is influenced by magnetic field and channel configuration.•The research indicates that the 2-stage configuration is the best design for the ECR-enhanced cusped field thruster.