The results of experimental and theoretic investigation moment of ignition of ion-plasma DAS engines with thermoionic neutralization cathodes

In this work we consider the transitive process of ignition of discharge in crossed fields in the anode layer type hall thruster with thermionic cathodes. It is shown in experiments that at the moment of ignition anode (and cathode) current is much larger than at steady state regime. The value<;br/>of current impulse is in direct ratio and the duration of this process in inverse ratio of cathode emission current. The numerical kinetic modeling of this process shows that so large ignition current explained by two mechanisms: fast ionization of dense gas in discharge channel and practically full demagnetization of plasma by self-field of hall current.