The Hall Thruster Experiment (HTX) was established in 1999. The research objectives of the HTX are:
- Control of spatial distribution of plasma parameters in order to
reduce beam divergence in the thruster channel and plume.
- Scaling of Hall thrusters to low (tens W) and high power (tens kW)
levels.
- Understanding of physics involved in operation of Hall thrusters
and crossed field plasma devices in general:
- Electron transport across magnetic field
- Plasma-wall interactions
- Plasma instabilities and their control
- Limitations of magnetic insulation in plasmas
with magnetized electrons and non-magnetized ions.
- Interaction of high flux plasma jets with different targets
(magnetic field, plasma and solid).
- Exploring of new configurations of crossed field plasma devices for
space, scientific and industrial applications.
- Study of steady state electrical discharge in crossed field devices
under various pressures and gases.
- Measurements of secondary electron emission properties of
dielectric materials in low electron energy range (<1 keV).
- Applications of ferro-electric materials for efficient ionization and control of plasma-wall interaction in plasma sources.