Experimental investigations of a breadboard model of Hall thruster

Various breadboard models of Hall thrusters are analyzed with a view to optimizing the output parameters which characterize the degree of processing of the working medium and the energy efficiency of the device. It is demonstrated that the channel geometry with the magnetic field uniform along the channel affects only slightly the efficiency of acceleration of ion flow. In a number of working modes, the formation of accelerated ion flow is accompanied by the emergence of pulsations of discharge current, this leading to destructive processes of acceleration and formation of ion flow. The development of a breadboard model with a nonuniform magnetic field along the channel significantly decreasing in the direction of anode with cylindrical space makes possible the elimination of discharge current pulsations in a wide range of parameters. The increase in the density of the flow of working medium by a factor of 1.7 results in a $30$ $\%$ increase in the energy efficiency and provides for the working medium utilization factor of the order of 1.2.