J. Plasma Physics (2008), vol. 74, part 2, pp. 261–286.


c 2007 Cambridge University Press 261
doi:10.1017/S0022377807006794 First published online 10 September 2007 Printed in the United Kingdom

Basis of the quasi-steady plasma accelerator

theory in the presence of a longitudinal
magnetic field
A N D R E Y N. K O Z L O V
Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences,
125047 Moscow, Russia
(ankoz@keldysh.ru)

(Received 4 April 2007 and in revised form 10 July 2007)

Abstract. The analytic and numerical approaches to the investigation of the two-
dimensional steady-state plasma flows are analyzed and compared with reference
to a plasma accelerator channel in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field.
The present study continues a cycle of research into the plasma flows in the coaxial
channels with the traditional azimuthal magnetic field. The additional longitudinal
field opens new possibilities for controlling the dynamic processes and achieving
the transonic flows. The research is based on the magnetohydrodynamic equations.

1. Introduction
A coaxial plasma accelerator [1] consists of two profile coaxial electrodes connec-
ted with the corresponding electric circuit. Plasma current j flows between the
electrodes. The current flowing in the internal electrode generates an azimuthal
magnetic field Hϕ . As a result, the plasma is accelerated along the axis of the
system owing to the Ampère force (1/c)(j × H). The acceleration is most efficient
if the current j = (c/4π)(∇ × H) is predominantly radially directed. The transonic
flow is produced in the plasma accelerator channel by the way a gas flow behaves
in the gas dynamic nozzle. The flow velocity exceeds the local velocity of the fast
magnetosonic wave in the middle of the channel where the cross-section area is at
a minimum.
Owing to the Hall effect and low density near the electrode, the current crisis
phenomenon [1–4] impedes the normal operation and the achievement of high
velocities in plasma accelerating systems such as self-field magnetoplasmadynamic
(MPD) thrusters, Hall MPD high-current accelerators, coaxial plasma accelerators
with solid electrodes and in other similar devices. The MPD thruster consists of
a front cathode and an external coaxial profile anode. The front cathode on this
system axis is simultaneously the source of plasma. The Hall MPD accelerator
contains an additional external coil with current. It is possible to overcome the
current crisis in quasi-steady plasma accelerator (QSPA)-type systems [3, 4]. In
the coaxial plasma accelerator, a neutral gas is introduced between two coaxial
electrodes. Then, owing to the high voltage between the electrodes, the neutral gas
breaks up and an ionization front is formed. Behind the front the ionized plasma is
sharply accelerated along the channel axis owing to the Ampère force. The process
262 A. N. Kozlov
of plasma ionization and preliminary acceleration occurs mainly in the first stage
of the coaxial heavy-current QSPA. The first stage of the QSPA consists of a few
small coaxial accelerators. We have the same mechanism for accelerating owing to
Ampère force in all of these systems with the relatively dense plasma including the
large coaxial accelerator of the second stage. Most efficient acceleration may be
organized mainly in the quasi-steady plasma accelerator.
Modern models of instabilities, propagation and the interactions of waves in
the different plasma formations, including the dust magnetized plasma, play an
important role in understanding the plasma processes [5–10]. The present article
develops the two-dimensional analytical and numerical models for investigating the
rotating flows of classical ideal plasma (e2 n1/3 /kB T Ⰶ 1). There is a high level of
stability and azimuthal symmetry of the moving plasma in the accelerators.
Most experiments [11–15] and models in the two-stage coaxial accelerators are
based on the ion current transport. In this case electrodes must be transparent
for plasma. There is a drift channel between the first and the second stages in
the QSPA accelerator. It is a channel with the constant cross section in which
the plasma flows from the first stage become azimuthal symmetrical flows. Ex-
perimental research has confirmed the effect of quick azimuthal symmetrization
of the flow in the drift channel. The research has revealed a real opportunity to
obtain the high-power plasma flows of the relatively dense plasma n  1014 cm−3
with V = 106 –108 cm s−1 . In the future, such opportunities would allow the plasma
accelerators to be used in applications such as electric jets in space as well as in
thermonuclear installations. In particular, experimental research [13] into high-
power plasma interaction with the material surfaces under conditions simulating
the ITER events was carried out in the QSPA proposed in [3]. A series of pub-
lications (see, e.g., [16–20]) have been devoted to the theoretical and numerical
investigation of the plasma dynamics in the accelerator with the traditional azi-
muthal magnetic field. The numerical experiments were also carried out to study the
plasma dynamics under the different conditions of the inflow into the drift channel
and the second stage (see, e.g., [19]). All results unambiguously point out that the
independent analysis of the processes in the channel of the second stage is quite
justified.
The most advanced and successful plasma accelerator schemes at present are the
stationary plasma thrusters (SPTs; see [21, 22] and references therein). SPTs have
been used over the past few decades to correct satellite orbits. There have been many
modifications to the SPT. The cylindrical Hall thrusters [23–26] are considered from
a viewpoint of the optimization of the different parameters. The mechanism for
accelerating low-density (n  1012 cm−3 ) plasma in the SPTs differs from that in
the plasma accelerators. According to the general pattern of the processes occurring
in an SPT, the magnetized electrons in crossed (E, H) fields move in spirals around
the magnetic field lines. On the whole, the electron cloud drifts in the azimuthal
direction. The electron component is transparent to the ions, whose gyroradii are
much larger than the length of the discharge gap. Since the plasma configuration in
an SPT is on the whole stable, the distribution of the electric field directed along the
system axis is also stable. The ion component is accelerated along the axis owing
to the electric field. The near-wall conductivity [21, 22, 26, 27] is one of the most
important factors in ensuring the normal operation of an SPT. Special attention has
also been given to the origin and the structure of the near-wall current in the vicinity
of an inhomogeneous surface [27]. Research on an SPT for low-density plasma is
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 263
based on the solution of the kinetic equations. All SPT systems are characterized
by a low-mass outflow.
In addition to plasma accelerators and SPTs there are many other plasma gen-
erators and ion sources. These systems are increasingly being used in various
applications including the different flight objects. It is a well-known fact that the
plasma covering around a flying object changes the properties of the medium that
streamlines a body. In hypersonic motion the plasma covering can lead to the de-
struction of the front shockwave [28] and a rapid decrease in the medium resistance.
The magnetic field at the different conditions of the streamlining (see, e.g., [29])
exerts a significant influence on the supersonic plasma and weakly ionized gas
flows. During the subsonic motion it is possible to reduce sufficiently the turbulence
region in the wake. The experimental results are a beautiful confirmation of this
phenomenon (see, e.g., [30]). Here, the single dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD)
plasma actuators are used to create a plasma covering.
The present study is devoted to the fundamentals of the theory of plasma flows
in the channels of accelerators in the presence of a longitudinal field Hz Ⰷ Hr in
addition to the traditional azimuthal magnetic field Hϕ . On the one hand, the
presence of a longitudinal field complicates the flow. It leads, for example, to a
plasma rotation around the axis of the system. On the other hand, it is possible to
investigate the full variety of the dynamic processes. The previous research on the
coaxial plasma accelerators should be thought of as referring to a particular case
in which the plasma does not rotate. The processes in relatively dense plasma are
investigated by means of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations.
Previous experiments [15] in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field were
carried out in the QSPA. A longitudinal field was created by means of the twisted
outer electrode in such a way that the discharge current in the twisted outer
electrode simultaneously produced a longitudinal field. An increase or decrease of
the twist led to an increase or decrease in the longitudinal field. In the process,
the channel geometry was changing simultaneously which made it difficult to
investigate the influence of the longitudinal field independently. Moreover, when
those experiments were conducted the underlying processes were not adequately
understood as the theoretical and numerical models were absent. Nevertheless the
experiments have shown the stable behavior of the rotating flows in the channel of
the QSPA. We did not observe any growing instabilities.
At the present time the longitudinal field in the modified plasma accelerator
is assumed to be created by means of the several additional coils. These coils
surround the external electrode as well as the acceleration channel of the main
discharge. The models proposed here allow us to clarify the main properties of the
rotating plasma flows in the above-mentioned experiments. A weak longitudinal
field allows us to prevent or at least to weaken the undesirable effects near the
electrodes.

2. Analytical model
The principal regulations of the analytical model of a two-dimensional two-compo-
nent plasma flow in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field were constructed
in [31]. The analytical investigations intended here are carried out within the
framework of the smooth channel approximation [2].
264 A. N. Kozlov
2.1. Equations and conservation laws
We start from the steady-state ideal two-fluid MHD equations. Since the electron
mass is negligible as compared with the ion mass, we can write the equations in the
dimensionless form [17]:
∇ · (ρVi ) = 0, ∇ · (ρVe ) = 0, (2.1)
ρ
ρ(Vi ∇)Vi = −∇Pi + (−∇Φ + Vi × H), (2.2)
ξ
ρ
0 = −∇Pe − (−∇Φ + Ve × H), (2.3)
ξ
ρ
∇×H= (Vi − Ve ), (2.4)
ξ

∇ · H = 0, (2.5)

(Vi ∇)Si = 0, (Ve ∇)Se = 0. (2.6)

Here the subscripts i and e denote the ion and electron plasma components, respect-
ively; Si and Se are the entropies of the corresponding components; Pe,i = 12 βρTe,i .
As the input dimensional units, we take the characteristic values of the dens-
ity ρ0 = mi n0 , the temperature T0 , the length of the plasma accelerator chan-
nel L and the strength of the azimuthal magnetic field component at the en-
trance H0 = Hϕ0 = 2Jd /cR0 , where R0 is the radius of external electrode and Jd
is the current in the system. Using these quantities, we form √ the following units
of the pressure H02 /4π, the characteristic velocity V1 = H0 / 4πρ0 and potential
Φ1 = V1 H0 L/c. The dimensionless parameters of model are the √ local parameter
characterizing the Hall effect in the two-fluid model ξ = cmi /eL 4πρ0 and the ratio
of the gas and magnetic pressures at the inlet β = 8πP0 /H02 (P0 = 2kB n0 T0 ).
In the case of the axial symmetry the continuity equations (2.1) and (2.5) make it
possible to introduce the stream functions ψi , ψe for the ion and electron velocities
and the magnetic flux function ψ:
∂ψi,e ∂ψi,e
rρVri,e = − , rρVzi,e = , (2.7)
∂z ∂r
∂ψ ∂ψ
rHr = − , rHz = . (2.8)
∂z ∂r
We can write the following Bernoulli integrals for momentum equations (2.2) and
(2.3)
1 1 1
Ui = Vi2 + Wi + Φ ≡ Ui (ψi ), Ue = We − Φ ≡ Ue (ψe ), (2.9)
2 ξ ξ

where functions Wi,e = dPi,e /ρ are proportional to the enthalpy of components
with allowance for (2.6). The equations of motion can be represented in the form
1 1
∇Ui = (Vi × H∗ ), ∇Ue = − (Ve × H), (2.10)
ξ ξ
where H∗ = H+ξ(∇ × Vi ) is the effective magnetic field. From the ϕ-components of
these equations we can obtain two additional conservation laws along the
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 265
streamlines
Di = ψ + ξrVϕi = Di (ψi ), De = ψ = De (ψe ). (2.11)
Furthermore, we can write the transformed system using the introduced functions
 2  2 
1 1 ∂ψi 1 ∂ψi 1
Ui (ψi ) = + + (Vϕi )2 + Wi + Φ, (2.12)
2 rρ ∂z rρ ∂r ξ

Ue (ψe ) = We − Φ/ξ, (2.13)

Di (ψi ) = ψ + ξrVϕi , De (ψe ) = ψ, (2.14)

    
ξ ∂ 1 ∂ψi ∂ 1 ∂ψi Hϕ Vϕi Di
+ − + = ξUi , (2.15)
rρ ∂z rρ ∂z ∂r rρ ∂r rρ r

Hϕ Vϕe De dUi,e dDi,e

− + = −ξUe , Ui,e
= 
, Di,e = , (2.16)
rρ r dψi,e dψi,e
 
∂ 1 ∂ψ ∂2 ψ rρ
r + 2
= − (Vϕi − Vϕe ), (2.17)
∂r r ∂r ∂z ξ

ξrHϕ = ψi − ψe . (2.18)

This system is analogous to that obtained in [2] and corrected for non-dimensional-
ization and with neglect of the electron mass as compared with the ion mass. The
transformed equations (2.12)–(2.18) for eight unknowns ψ, ψi , ψe , ρ, Vϕi , Vϕe , Hϕ and
Φ contain four functions Ui (ψi ), Ue (ψe ), Di (ψi ) and De (ψe ) which can be determined
by specifying the parameters on the boundaries. We assume that the distribution
of the parameters on the boundaries is such that

Ue = kψe , k = Ue = constant, (2.19)

Ui = U0 − kψi , U0 = constant. (2.20)

In accordance with (2.19), from (2.16) it follows that when Vϕe = 0 the ‘freezing-in’
parameter Hϕ /rρ is independent of the streamlines ψe = constant. Summing the
relations (2.12) and (2.13) with allowance for (2.20) and (2.18), we find that the
Bernoulli integral written in the form 12 Vi2 + W + ξkrHϕ = U0 (W = Wi + We )
is independent of the streamlines as U0 = constant. From this relation after the
simple transformations using (2.16), where De = Hz /ρVze in accordance with (2.7),
(2.8) and (2.14), we obtain Vi2 /2 + W + Hϕ2 /ρ − Hz Hϕ Vϕe /ρVze = U0 . The Bernoulli
equation can be written in this way in the presence of a longitudinal field Hz
within the framework of the quasi one-dimensional approach (see Appendix A)
with Vi = Ve = V. When a longitudinal field is absent, Hz = 0, the Bernoulli equation
acquires the ordinary form V 2 /2 + W + Hϕ2 /ρ = U0 .

2.2. Smooth channel approximation

Within the framework of the smooth channel approximation, the flow parameters
vary slowly along the axis of the system. In this case the unknown functions have
266 A. N. Kozlov
the form f (r, δz), where δ is a small parameter and
 2
∂f ∂2 f ∂f
∼ δ, 2
∼ ∼ δ2 .
∂z ∂z ∂z
The transformed system (2.12)–(2.18) contains only terms quadratic in ∂/∂z or
∂ 2 /∂z 2 . Neglecting the quadratic terms in δ, we obtain a system of equations
containing the derivatives only with respect to r. Eliminating the potential Φ and
the electron velocity Vϕe from this system using (2.13) and (2.17), we have
 2
1 1 ∂ψi 1
+ (Vϕi )2 + W + ξkrHϕ = U0 , (2.21)
2 rρ ∂r 2
 
∂W 1 1 ∂ψ ∂ 1 ∂ψ Hϕ ∂rHϕ
− (Vϕi )2 + + = 0, (2.22)
∂r r rρ ∂r ∂r r ∂r rρ ∂r
  
ξ ∂ 1 ∂ψ Hϕ
Vϕi + De = − ξkr. (2.23)
ρ ∂r r ∂r ρ
These equations contain six unknowns ψ, ψi , ψe , ρ, Vϕi , Hϕ and must be supplemen-
ted with relations (2.14) and (2.18). We investigate the effect of the longitudinal
magnetic field by comparing the flows with the analogous flows in the absence of a
longitudinal magnetic field.

2.3. Cold plasma flows in the absence of a longitudinal magnetic field

In the absence of a longitudinal magnetic field and plasma rotation, the input
system of equations for the two-component plasma can be reduced to quadrat-
ures in two cases, namely, for the cold plasma W = 0 and the isomagnetic flow
Ue (ψe ) = constant. It has been shown that in the isomagnetic case [17] the flow
depends slightly on the parameter β. The magnetic pressure in the plasma acceler-
ators is much higher than the gas pressure and W ∼ β Ⰶ 1.
We consider an example of plasma flow in which ψ = 0 and W = 0. In this case
the system (2.21)–(2.23) can be simplified for the non-rotating plasma Vϕi = Vϕe = 0
because Di = 0 and De = 0. Equations (2.22) and (2.23) take the form
∂rHϕ Hϕ
= 0, = ξk. (2.24)
∂r rρ
As a result of the integration we obtain
C1 (z) C1 (z)
Hϕ (z, r) = , ρ(z, r) = . (2.25)
ξkr ξ 2 k2 r2
Here an integrated constant C1 can be an arbitrary, slowly varying function of z.
In accordance with (2.24), the ‘freezing-in’ parameter is equal to ξk = s/r0 , where
r0 = R0 /L is the dimensionless radius of the point at the inlet at which |Hϕ | = 1 and
ρ = 1. The sign of value s = ±1 depends on the polarity of the internal electrode.
From (2.21) it follows that
 2
1 i 2 1 1 ∂ψi 1
(V ) = = U0 − C1 (z) = V02 (z). (2.26)
2 z 2 rρ ∂r 2
So a longitudinal velocity Vzi is independent of r. We can determine a constant U0
in (2.21) at the point (z = 0, r = r0 ) as follows U0 = 12 V02 (0) + 1. Integrating (2.26)
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 267
with allowance for (2.25), we obtain
ψi (z, r) = r02 V0 (z)C1 (z) ln(r) + C2 (z), (2.27)
where C2 (z) is a second arbitrary, slowly varying function of z. The functions ψe
and Φ can be found from relations (2.18) and (2.13) when We = 0:
Φ(z, r) = ξC1 (z) − sr0 V0 (z)C1 (z) ln(r) − sC2 (z)/r0 . (2.28)
The plasma dynamics in the accelerator are investigated in the different current
transport regimes. In the regime of the electron current transport, the stream-
lines of the ion plasma component ψi = constant lie on the impermeable electrode
surfaces of the cathode rk (z) and anode ra (z). In this case the electrodes are not
equipotential. On the other hand, in the regime of the ion current transport the
electrodes are equipotential surfaces. In this case they must be transparent for the
plasma entering the channel across them.
The functions C1 and C2 in the expressions (2.25)–(2.28) must be chosen de-
pending on the particular details of the problem formulation. We consider the cold
plasma flow when the anode profile ra (z) and the longitudinal velocity distribution
along the channel are given. The shape of the cathode rk (z) will be determined. In
accordance with (2.26), the longitudinal ion velocity Vzi = V0 (z) is independent of
the radius r and C1 (z) = U0 − 12 V02 (z). Moreover, the electrodes answer the lines of
the equal potential or level lines of the function Φ in the regime of the ion current
transport. Assuming that the anode potential is equal to zero Φ(z, ra (z)) = 0, we
can determine the function C2 (z) in (2.28) and finally obtain
Φ(z, r) = −sr0 V0 (z)C1 (z) ln(r/ra (z)), ψe (z, r) = −sr0 Φ(z, r) (2.29)
The function ψi can be found from the relation (2.18).
Now we can calculate the shape of the second electrode taking the function
V0 (z) to be an interval of a sinusoid so that the longitudinal velocity increases
monotonically from the value V0 (0) at the channel inlet to the value V0 (1) at the
outlet. The magnitude K = V0 (1)/V0 (0) is the acceleration coefficient. The electrode
geometry shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to a transonic flow with the following para-
meters: ξ = 0.02 (for instance, when n0 = 3.6 × 1014 cm−3 and L = 60 cm), K = 10,
V0 (1) = 1.36, r0 = 0.41 and rk (1) = 0.1. In this case the cathode potential is equal
to Φk = Φ1k = −0.066.
The ion streamline issuing from the anode at z = 0 separates the main and anode
flows (dashed curve in Fig. 1(c)). The anode flow enters the channel from the side
of the anode. The line r = r0 represents an electron streamline with its origin at the
same point. The divergence of the given electron and ion trajectories provoking the
Hall effect determines the anode flow zone in the ion current transport regime.
The construction of the electrode geometry in the electron current transport
regime and the estimations of the accelerator parameters in the smooth channel
approximation are considered in Appendix B.

2.4. Formulation of the problem in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field

We assume that the channel geometry is specified by the electrode profiles rk (z)
and ra (z) reproduced in Fig. 1, which correspond to the possibility of the transonic
flow. At the inlet the values of the plasma parameters are the same as in the
absence of a longitudinal magnetic field, i.e. at z = 0 we suppose Vϕi = Vϕe = 0 and
rHϕ = −r0 = constant. We assign also Hz 苷 0 at the inlet. From (2.22) for the cold
268 A. N. Kozlov

Figure 1. Plasma flow in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field (analytical model):
(a) the equipotential lines; (b) the magnetic field and plasma current; (c) ion streamlines;
(d) velocity field of ions; (e) density and velocity field of electrons.

plasma W = 0 we obtain at z = 0
ψ(r) = 12 Hz0 r2 , Hz (r) = Hz0 = constant. (2.30)
Consequently, a longitudinal magnetic field is independent of the radius r at the in-
let. When ra (z) = r0 , owing to the relations (2.29) we have ψe (z = 0, r) =
C0 r02 ln(r/r0 ), where C0 = V0 (0). Using this relation for eliminating a variable r
in (2.30), we can find De (ψe ) in (2.14) for z = 0
 
1 0 2 2ψe
De (ψe ) = ψ = Hz r0 exp . (2.31)
2 C0 r02
The relation (2.31) establishes a one-to-one correspondence between the function
ψ and ψe . In accordance with (2.14) and (2.18), we have Di (ψi (0, r)) = ψ(0, r) and
ψi (0, r) = − ξr0 + C0 r02 ln(r/r0 ). Eliminating a variable r from the last relation and
(2.30), at z = 0 we have
 
1 0 2 2(ψi + ξr0 )
Di (ψi ) = Hz r0 exp . (2.32)
2 C0 r02
So we can determine the integral moments Di and De at the entrance z = 0 as
functions of only ψi and ψe , respectively. Specifying the functions Di (ψi ) and De (ψe )
at the inlet, we specify thereby these functions over the entire volume by means of
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 269
(2.14) and (2.32) for Di (ψi ) and by means of (2.31) for De (ψe ). With allowance for
(2.18) and (2.31), (2.14) and (2.32) make it possible to determine Vϕi as function ψ
and Hϕ
   
ψ 2ξ(rHϕ + r0 )
i
Vϕ = exp −1 . (2.33)
ξr C0 r02
The transformed equations (2.21)–(2.23) must be supplemented with the relations
obtained in this section. Furthermore we eliminate the density ρ and function ψi .
As a result, we have two independent functions Hϕ and ψ (or ψe ) for which after
some algebra we obtain the system of first-order differential equations
∂ψe ∂rHϕ
= F1 (r, ψe , Hϕ ), = F2 (r, ψe , Hϕ ), (2.34)
∂r ∂r
where F1 and F2 are the known functions.
In order to solve the system (2.34) for Hz0 苷 0 we must assign two quantities ψe
and Hϕ at a single electrode for r = ra (z) or r = rk (z). The azimuthal field Hϕ is not
known in advance. However, the quantity ψe can be determined on both electrodes.
Then, assigning a value of ψe on one of the electrodes, on the basis of value of ψe
on the other, using the ranging method, we can calculate the distributions of Hϕ
and all unknown quantities as functions of r in any channel cross section.
Therefore, it is natural to assume that the electrode potentials are known. With-
out loss of generality in the formulation of the problem, the anode potential may
be assumed to be zero, Φa = 0. This condition was used above in determining the
geometry of the channel and the flow in the case Hz0 = 0 in which the cathode
potential is Φk = Φ1k . When We = 0, owing to the relations (2.19) and (2.13) the
stream function ψe is related with the potential Φ by the simple dependence
ψe = r0 Φ. (2.35)
Knowing the electrode potentials, we can find the values of ψe on the boundaries
ψe (z, r = ra (z)) = 0, ψe (z, r = rk (z)) = r0 Φk . (2.36)
Thus, the complete formulation of the problem for the system of differential equa-
tions (2.34) includes the boundary conditions, for example, in the form (2.36). In
addition to the cathode and anode potentials Φk and Φa or quantities ψek = r0 Φk
and ψea = r0 Φa on electrodes with the given profiles r = rk (z) and r = ra (z), the
parameters are also value ξ and the magnitude of the longitudinal field Hz0 at the
inlet are also the parameters of problem which are included into the functions
(2.34).

3. Numerical model
The steady-state two-component or two-fluid MHD equations of the ideal con-
ductivity plasma are used within the framework of the analytic model. These
equations are a particular case of the time-dependent two-fluid MHD equations
that take into account the electrical conductivity tensor, the Hall effect (Vi 苷 Ve )
and transport coefficients depending on ωe τe . In their turn, the time-dependent one-
fluid (Vi = Ve = V) MHD equations which take into account the finite conductivity
of the medium are a particular case of the time-dependent two-fluid system.
The first numerical experiments of the plasma dynamics in the presence of a
longitudinal field are proposed in [32,33]. In accordance with the hierarchism of the
numerical models, in the first step, the plasma dynamics should be investigated in
270 A. N. Kozlov
a one-fluid MHD model taking into account the finite conductivity of the medium.
The presented researches of the axial symmetric plasma flows in the coaxial accel-
erator are executed within the framework of the two-dimensional one-component
MHD model including the three-component magnetic field. The steady-state flows
are calculated by the relaxation method for the time-dependent MHD equations.
It will be possible later to calculate the Hall effect and the electrical conductivity
tensor within the framework of the two-component MHD models. In this case the
corresponding transport coefficients have been found in the obvious form [34]. Here-
with, the theoretical constructions have been based on a small difference between
the real distribution function and Maxwell’s distribution function. Therefore the
modeling of the basic flow within the framework of two-fluid or one-fluid MHD
models has little effect on the final result.

3.1. Basic equations

We consider an axisymmetric plasma flow between the two profiled electrodes
reproduced in Fig. 1, which specify the channel geometry. In the presence of a
longitudinal magnetic field, which leads to the plasma rotation, all three com-
ponents of the magnetic field and velocity participate in model H = (Hz , Hr , Hϕ )
and V = (Vz , Vr , Vϕ ). To be specific, we investigate a plasma formed from the hy-
drogen when the inertia of electrons (me Ⰶ mi = mp = m) and the current of the
displacement is neglected. The temperature in the ionization process in first stage
QSPA increases to 1–3 eV. In accordance with the experimental data, the con-
centration of plasma entering the channel of the second stage is assumed to be
fairly high n = 1014 –1016 cm−3 . The medium can be regarded as being quasi-neutral
ni = ne = n. The construction of the model within the framework of the one-fluid
approximation (Ve = Vi = V) is based on the traditional MHD equations. We have
the following equations in the dimensionless form
∂ρ dV
+ ∇ · (ρV) = 0, ρ + ∇P = j × H,
∂t dt
(3.1)
dε ∂H
ρ + P ∇ · V = νj , 2
= ∇ × (V × H) − ∇ × (νj).
dt ∂t
Here, ρ is the density of the heavy particles, P = Pi + Pe = βρT is the total pressure,
ε = βT /(γ − 1) is the intrinsic energy per unit mass, j = ∇ × H is the electric current
and
d ∂
= + (V, ∇).
dt ∂t

Taking the parameters of the medium into account, we restrict our attention to
the case of a single-temperature mixture Ti ≈ Te = T . The standard estimates of
the heat transfer and the characteristic time of the energy exchange between the
components justify the assumption of the temperature equality.
In accordance with Ohm’s law, the electrical field is given by the relation
E = νj − V × H. (3.2)
Here, ν = 1/Rem = c2 /4πLσV1 is the magnetic viscosity and σ = e2 ne τe /me is the
conductivity of medium. The dimensionless conductivity Rem = σ0 T 3/2 (magnetic
Reynolds number) contains σ0 , which can be expressed in terms of the initial
dimensional parameters and physical constants.
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 271
In the case of the axial flow symmetry (∂/∂ϕ = 0) it is possible to introduce
the vector potential A(H = ∇ × A) so that ∇ · H = 0 (see, e.g., [35]). The azimuthal
component Aϕ of vector A defines the components of the magnetic field

∂Aϕ 1 ∂(rAϕ )
Hr = − , Hz = . (3.3)
∂z r ∂r
The flux function ψ in analytic model and Aϕ are connected by means of the simple
relation ψ = rAϕ . With allowance for the above remarks, (3.1) can be written in the
explicit form in terms of azimuthal components Aϕ and Hϕ :

∂ρ ∂(ρVz ) 1 ∂(rρVr )
+ + = 0, (3.4)
∂t ∂z r ∂r
 
∂(ρVz ) ∂ 2
Hϕ2 1 ∂ ∂Aϕ
+ ρVz + P + + (rρVz Vr ) = jϕ , (3.5)
∂t ∂z 2 r ∂r ∂z
  
∂(ρVr ) ∂ 1 ∂ 2
Hϕ2
+ (ρVz Vr ) + r ρVr + P +
∂t ∂z r ∂r 2
 
1 Hϕ2 jϕ ∂(rAϕ )
= ρVϕ2 + P − + , (3.6)
r 2 r ∂z

∂Dϕ ∂(Vz Dϕ ) 1 ∂(rVr Dϕ ) ∂(rAϕ ) ∂Hϕ ∂Aϕ ∂(rHϕ )

+ + = − , (3.7)
∂t ∂z r ∂r ∂r ∂z ∂z ∂r
∂(ρε) ∂(ρεVz ) 1 ∂(rρεVr )
+ +
∂t ∂z r ∂r
   2  2 
∂Vz 1 ∂(rVr ) 1 ∂(rHϕ ) ∂Hϕ
= −P + +ν + 2
+ jϕ , (3.8)
∂z r ∂r r ∂r ∂z

∂Hϕ ∂(Vz Hϕ ) ∂(Vr Hϕ )

+ +
∂t ∂z ∂r
       
∂(rAϕ ) ∂ Vϕ ∂Aϕ ∂ Vϕ ∂ ν ∂(rHϕ ) ∂ ∂Hϕ
= −r + + ν , (3.9)
∂r ∂z r ∂z ∂r r ∂r r ∂r ∂z ∂z
 
∂Aϕ ∂Aϕ Vr ∂(rAϕ ) Aϕ
+ Vz + = ν ΔAϕ − 2 . (3.10)
∂t ∂z r ∂r r

Here we have introduced the designations Dϕ = rρVϕ , the azimuthal component of

plasma current
∂Hr ∂Hz Aϕ
jϕ = − = −ΔAϕ + 2 ,
∂z ∂r r
where
 
∂ 2 Aϕ 1 ∂ ∂Aϕ
ΔAϕ = + r .
∂z 2 r ∂r ∂r
As a result, we have the system of seven equations for variables ρ, T, Vz , Vr , Vϕ , Hϕ
and Aϕ .
272 A. N. Kozlov

Figure 2. Density distributions along the outer electrode for the different magnitudes of
the longitudinal magnetic field.

Figure 3. Computation of the transonic plasma flow: (a) transition through the fast
magnetosonic wave velocity (dashed line) and function rAϕ ; (b) plasma current, longitudinal
magnetic field; (c) azimuthal velocity; (d) density; (e) velocity field and temperature.

3.2. Boundary conditions and the used numerical methods

The numerical solutions of (3.4)–(3.10) are calculated in the (z, r) domain corres-
ponding to the channel shape shown in Figs 1, 3 and 4. The equations and boundary
conditions define the flow dynamics.
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 273

Figure 4. Plasma current in the case of the respective strong longitudinal magnetic field.

The boundary conditions at the channel inlet z = 0 correspond to the subsonic

plasma inflow with the known distributions of the density ρ(r) = f1 (r) and the
temperature T (r) = f2 (r).
We assume that the total electric current running in the system is supplied only
through the electrodes and its constant is supported. These assumptions bring
about the boundary condition at the inlet for the azimuthal magnetic field jz = 0 or
rHϕ = r0 = constant. The inflow is carried out along a fixed direction. We suppose
also that the plasma at the entrance cross section z = 0 is non-rotating, so the
azimuthal velocity is zero Vϕ = 0. Moreover, we assign the longitudinal magnetic
field at the entrance to the channel Hz 苷 0. In accordance with [31], we have the
radial equilibrium equation at the inlet
 
∂ Hϕ2 H2 ρ(Vϕ )2 Hϕ2
P+ + z = − . (3.11)
∂r 2 2 r r
Under the conditions rHϕ = r0 = constant and Vϕ = 0, (3.11) is reduced by the
following relation
P + 12 Hz2 = constant. (3.12)
For a cold plasma (β = 0) we have Hz (r) = Hz0 = constant at z = 0. Integrating (3.3),
we obtain
ψ(r) = rAϕ = 12 Hz0 r2 . (3.13)
In the general case of β 苷 0 it is necessary additionally to agree on the boundary
conditions. The equilibrium flowing at the entrance cross section can be achieved,
in particular, by two simple injection methods. In the first, for any value β in the
case of the radial equilibrium (3.12) such traditional conditions at z = 0 as ρ = 1 and
T = 1 lead to equality Hz (z = 0, r) = Hz0 = constant and to expression (3.13). In the
second, if β Ⰶ 1 the plasma can be injected in an arbitrary manner, for instance,
in accordance with analytical model, in which ρ(z = 0, r) = r02 /r2 . In this case, it is
possible to compare the results of the numerical model with the analytic solution.
At the outlet (z = 1) the boundary conditions correspond to a free supersonic
plasma flow from the channel under investigation of the transonic flow.
Now we consider the boundary conditions on the electrode surfaces. The elec-
trodes in the regime of the ion current transport are the equipotential and per-
meable surfaces. The case of the self-consistent plasma inflow through the electrodes
is governed exclusively by the Hall effect (Ve 苷 Vi ). Ignoring the Hall effect (Ve = Vi )
in the model, we have the regime of the impermeable equipotential electrodes. The
Hall effect is not taken into account in the one-fluid model. Therefore, this model is
suitable for the qualitative description of the indicated regimes. Consequently, we
suppose that the electrodes with the given profiles r = rk (z) and r = ra (z) are the
equipotential (Eτ = 0) and non-penetrable (Vn = 0) surfaces.
274 A. N. Kozlov
An additional relation is necessary in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic
field. The equality Hn = 0 is the typical and natural condition in the plasma dy-
namics. This relation associates the components of the magnetic field at the plasma–
conductor boundary and leads to the conservation law of the magnetic flux along
the channel. Thus, we have the following boundary conditions on the electrodes
Eτ = 0, Vn = 0, Hn = 0.
The choice of the computational algorithms is dictated by the specifics of the
problem. The methods of the numerical solution were described in detail in [32,33].
Since the objective here is to investigate the processes at a qualitative level, it is
sufficient to use a set of the methods which are efficient, quite reliable and are often
applied for studying the discussed class of the phenomena. In order to calculate the
hyperbolic part of the equations we took one of the algorithms of the flux corrected
transport [36]. This algorithm was specially adopted to solve the system (3.4)–
(3.9). The model makes it possible to use the methods of separation on the physical
processes and on the coordinates (z, r). The transport equation (3.10) for Aϕ was
solved by a method of the characteristics. The finite conductivity as a function of
temperature is contained in the right-hand side of (3.9) and (3.10) for Hϕ and Aϕ .
The dissipative processes were calculated by means of the implicit scheme and a
method of the flux prorace.

4. Main results
In this section we expose the qualitative features of the rotating plasma flows in the
presence of a longitudinal magnetic field in the accelerator channels. The numerical
and analytical solutions are compared with reference to the steady-state transonic
two-dimensional axisymmetric plasma streams.

4.1. Analytical solution of problem

The solution of the problem formulated above is based on using any of the numer-
ous well-known numerical algorithms for calculating a system of the first-order
differential equations (2.34) with the given initial data (2.36). The calculation
process reduces to a search for those values of rHϕ (z, ra (z)) for which on the
anode ψe (z, ra (z)) = ψea at any z and at the known quantity ψe (z, rk (z)) = ψek on
the cathode. The results of solving the problem are independent of the sign of the
longitudinal magnetic field [31]. Therefore, we specify Hz0 > 0. We recall that the
unit of magnetic field, including the longitudinal magnetic field, is the characteristic
value of the azimuthal magnetic field H0 at the entrance.
For fairly large values of the longitudinal field Hz0 > 0.15 the solution of the
problem was not found for the given geometry and any values of the cathode
potential Φk . There is no transonic flow for 0 < Hz0  0.15 and the potential
difference ΔΦ = −Φ1k corresponding to the case Hz0 = 0. However for any 0  Hz0 
0.15 there is a unique Φk , increasing with Hz0 , at which the transonic regime is
achieved.
The opposite assertion is also valid. Any value of Φk on the known interval
Φ1k < Φk < Φ∗ corresponds to the certain longitudinal magnetic field for which the
flow is transonic. In the case Hz0 = 0 the transonic flow can exist in a channel of any
given geometry, including that under consideration, only for a unique set of values
of the plasma parameters and the potential difference between the electrodes.
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 275
Within the framework of the proposed model the presence of a weak longitudinal
magnetic field makes it possible to produce the transonic flow in a channel with
suitable geometry over a certain range of the problem parameters by selecting the
necessary potential difference.
Figure 1 reproduces the transonic flow in the ion current transport regime for the
longitudinal magnetic field Hz0 = 0.1. In this case the cathode potential is equal to
Φk = 1.035·Φ1k and ξ = 0.02. In this figure we have plotted: (a) the equipotential lines
Φ = constant (full curves) and line of the transition through the fast magnetosonic
wave velocity (dashed curves); (b) the distribution of the magnetic field H in the
(r, z) plane and the plasma current (the level lines of the function rHϕ ); (c) the
ion streamlines ψi = constant (full curves) and the dashed curve corresponds to the
ion trajectory for Hz0 = 0; (d) the vector field of the ion component velocity (Vzi , Vri )
and the contour lines of the azimuthal velocity of ions Vϕi (z, r) (dashed curves); and
(e) the level lines of the density ρ(z, r) (full curves), the velocity field of the electron
component (Vze , Vre ) and the contour lines of the electron azimuthal velocity Vϕe (z, r)
(dashed curves).
In Figs 1(d) and (e) the length of vectors (in V1 ) is equal to the dimensionless
value of the velocity at any point. At mid-channel the flow velocity passes through
the local velocity of the fast magnetosonic wave. In accordance with (2.35), the
electron trajectories coincide with the equipotential lines (full curves in Fig. 1(a)).
The functions Vϕi and Vϕe (Figs 1(d) and (e)) characterize the plasma flow rotation for
Hz0 苷 0. The azimuthal velocities have maxima in the vicinity of the anode nearer
to the exit from the accelerator channel. Under certain experimental conditions
in the absence of a longitudinal magnetic field, a shortage of ions due to the
Hall effect is observed in this region. This is accompanied by the current crisis
phenomenon and the collapse of the acceleration process. In accordance with the
results of the presented investigation, in the presence of a longitudinal field
the density ρ(z, r = r0 ) on the anode (dashed curve 2A in Fig. 2) increases due
to the rotation. The dashed curve 1A in Fig. 2 corresponds to Hz0 = 0. In Fig. 1(c)
we have plotted the ion trajectories ψi = constant. In this figure the anode flow zone
is bounded from below by the curve A with the origin at the point z = 0 and r = r0 .
In the presence of the longitudinal field, this zone associated with the divergence of
the ion and electron trajectories due to the Hall effect is significantly smaller than
in the case Hz0 = 0 (dashed curve in Fig. 1(c)).

4.2. Numerical results

The numerical model presented here was used to carry out a series of computational
experiments. The free dimensional parameters of the model are the concentration
n0 , temperature T0 , discharge current Jd and accelerator length L. These paramet-
ers may be taken arbitrary and were chosen to correspond to the experiments within
the framework of the QSPA program [11–15]. For instance, if n0 = 3.6 × 1014 cm−3 ,
T0 = 2 eV, Jd = 300 kA and L = 60 cm, the dimensionless parameters of the problem
are equal to β = 0.005 and σ0 = 812.8. In addition, the longitudinal magnetic field
at the entrance to the channel can be set equal to, e.g., Hz0 = 0.1. Such value of Hz0 is
low enough. It gives the possibility to produce the transonic flow in accordance with
the analytical model. The channel geometry (see Figs 3 and 4) also corresponds to
the analytical research of the two-dimensional plasma flows. In this case, the density
at the inlet varies according to the law ρ(z = 0, r) = r02 /r2 . Assuming also that the
276 A. N. Kozlov
plasma injected into the channel is isentropic (S = cV ln(P/ργ ) = constant), we have
T = ργ −1 at z = 0.
The steady-state flows are calculated by the relaxation method for the initial
time-dependent problem (3.4)–(3.10). The relaxation time of the plasma flow is
equal in order of the magnitude to t1 = L/V1 or the characteristic flight time, which
is significantly lower than the time interval corresponding to the current discharge.
In the common case the time-dependent equations must be supplemented by the
equation of the electric circuit. The corresponding numerical experiments [19] were
carried out in the absence of a longitudinal field. If we solve the problem using the
equation of circuit, then, for a known value of current in the circuit at a given
moment of time, we will obtain the same solution of the MHD problem as if we
solved the problem by means of the relaxation method with the same value of
discharge current. Hence, for the qualitative analysis of processes it is possible
to consider the quasi-steady-state solutions obtained by means of the relaxation
method.
The results of computations of the transonic plasma flow in the presence of a
longitudinal field for the parameters indicated above are demonstrated in Fig. 3.
Here we have plotted: (a) the level lines of function ψ = rAϕ (full curves) and the
line separating the regions where the flow velocity is lower and is higher than the
fast magnetosonic wave velocity (dashed curve); (b) the distribution of the magnetic
field H in the (r, z) plane and the plasma current or contour lines of function rHϕ
(dashed-and-dotted curves show the result of the numerical simulation for Hz0 = 0);
(c) the contour lines of the azimuthal velocity Vϕ (r, z) (dashed curves correspond to
the analytical model); (d) the level lines of the density ρ(z, r) (full and dashed-and-
dotted curves show results of the numerical simulations for Hz0 = 0.1 and Hz0 = 0,
respectively, and dashed curves correspond to the analytical model for Hz0 = 0.1);
and (e) the contour lines of temperature T (z, r) and projections of velocity V onto
the (r, z) plane. The length of vectors in Fig. 3(e) at any point are proportional to
the unit of the indicated characteristic velocity V1 . The dashed curve in Fig. 1(a)
shows that in the central part of the accelerator channel the flow velocity increases
from below to above the local speed of a fast magnetosonic wave

Vfa = 12 (VT2 + VH2 ) + 12 (VT2 + VH2 )2 − 4VT2 VH2 cos2 θ.

Here, VT = γP/ρ is the gas-dynamic speed of sound, VH2 = H 2 /ρ and cos θ =

(H, V)/HV. Thus, we have the transonic plasma flow.
To be specific, we have chosen the plasma current direction in Fig. 3(b) so that
the external electrode is an anode. In this figure we can observe the peculiarities
of the longitudinal magnetic field distribution. The field component Hz increases
with r and reaches its maximum Hzm ax = Hz (z ≈ 0.5, r = r0 ) = 0.48 at the surface
of the outer electrode in the narrowest central part of the accelerator channel.
In Fig. 3(c) we see that the azimuthal velocity Vϕ (z, r) increases in both radial
and axis directions. In other words, a weak longitudinal magnetic field gives rise
to plasma rotation whose velocity increases to become maximum in the vicinity
of outer electrode at the exit of channel where Vϕm ax = Vϕ (z = 1, r = r0 ) = 0.71.
Nevertheless, at outlet (z =1) the fraction KE = (εϕ /εz ) 100% of the kinetic energy
r
of a plasma rotation εϕ = r ka ρVϕ2 πr dr against the longitudinal kinetic energy of
r
a following plasma stream εz = r ka ρVz2 πr dr is small. In the given case it is equal
to the value KE = 7%.
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 277
The behavior of the density ρ(z, r) (see the full curves in Fig. 3(d)) in the vicinity
of the external electrode is governed by the longitudinal magnetic field. The dashed-
and-dotted curves in Figs 3(d) and (b) correspond to the case Hz0 = 0. In the presence
of the longitudinal field Hz , the inclination of the contour lines of the function rHϕ ,
i.e. of the plasma current, changes in a vicinity of the outer electrode. Simultan-
eously, the plasma density increases there. This effect is illustrated more clearly
in Fig. 2, which shows the density distributions ρ(z, r = r0 ) along the external
electrode for the different values of Hz0 . The full curves 1 and 2 correspond to
calculations for Hz0 = 0 and Hz0 = 0.1, respectively. At the point (z = 1, r = r0 ), the
density increases from value ρ1 in the absence of a longitudinal field to value ρ2
in the presence of this field. The coefficient of the density increase in the presence
of a longitudinal magnetic field is defined as Kρ = ρ2 /ρ1 . In this case it is equal
to Kρ = 1.63. Thus, as a result of rotation, the density rises near the external
electrode. Owing to this circumstance, it is possible to overcome or to weaken a
current crisis phenomenon in the plasma accelerator channel by applying a weak
longitudinal magnetic field. As is noted above, in the experiments in the absence of
a longitudinal field the ions near the anode are depleted owing to the Hall effect.
This depletion, as a rule, leads to a current crisis. In this case, since there is some
critical value of a discharge current Jdcr , the voltage between the electrodes starts
to grow very sharply if the current in the system is more than the critical value
Jd > Jdcr and the mass flux in the channel does not vary. The longitudinal plasma
current j appears in the vicinity of the anode and its direction is the opposite of
what is represented in Figs 1(b) and 3(b) in the presence of a longitudinal field. It
is accompanied by the plasma leaving from the anode that in turn increases the
longitudinal plasma current in an undesirable direction even more. As a result we
have a full reorganization of the flow structure and the failure of the acceleration
process.
Now we can compare the calculation of the steady-state plasma flow with the
analytical solution. These results may be different because the analytical model was
constructed in the smooth channel approximation for the ideal MHD equations of
the cold plasma (ν = 0 and β = 0). The difference between the results obtained in
the analytical model and in the full MHD model is illustrated in Figs 3(c), 3(d)
and 2 by the dashed curves, which should be compared with the corresponding full
curves nearest to them. Consequently, there is no qualitative difference between
the two solutions.
Further investigations based on the full MHD model made it possible to reveal
the following regular features. An increase in the longitudinal magnetic field ob-
viously leads to an increase in the plasma density in the vicinity of the external
electrode. Curves 3 and 4 in Fig. 2 were calculated for Hz0 = 0.15 and Hz0 = 0.2,
respectively. We have KE = 36% and Kρ = 3.1 for Hz0 = 0.2. However, the flow
properties vary qualitatively at a certain critical value of the longitudinal field. The
value of the critical longitudinal field depends slightly on the initial parameters
of the problem and on the plasma injection conditions at the entrance to the
channel. In the example at hand, if the longitudinal field at the inlet is Hz0 > 0.2,
then a narrow current layer forms in the moving plasma near the outer electrode,
where the longitudinal field is at a maximum. This current layer obtained for
Hz0 = 0.25 is represented in Fig. 4. The dashed curve in this figure corresponds
to Hϕ = 0. The direction of current varies on opposite in a vicinity of a layer. That
the plasma current is closed on the outer electrode indicates that the formation
278 A. N. Kozlov
of current attachments in the case of a sufficiently large longitudinal field Hz0 is
possible.
Within the framework of the presented model, numerical experiments were also
conducted under the conditions ρ = 1 and T = 1 at the channel entrance. This
research has supported the main regularities and conclusions made in this article
and answer the question about the sensitivity of plasma flow to the boundary condi-
tions at the inlet to the channel. Moreover, the optimal operation of the accelerators
is observed when the plasma is injected unevenly and when its concentration at the
entrance to the second stage of the accelerator is higher near the inner electrode.
This to a certain extent corresponds to the plasma inflow considered in this section
in accordance with the analytic model.
In addition, the numerical experiments show that, for low values β Ⰶ 1 which are
typical for the plasma accelerators, the temperature background (Fig. 3(e)) does
not have any significant influence on plasma dynamics on the whole. That is why
the radiation transport is not of primary importance in the model proposed here.

5. Conclusions
This research has developed the analytic and numerical models of the steady-
state rotating axisymmetric two-dimensional plasma flows in the coaxial plasma
accelerator channel in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field. An analytic
solution of the problem has been found in the smooth channel approximation of the
MHD equations for the ideal two-component plasma. The numerical experiments
have been based on the MHD equations taking into account the finite conductivity
of medium. The numerical results have been compared with the analytical solutions
of the axial symmetric flows.
The presence of a longitudinal field provides the additional possibilities to con-
trol the dynamic processes in the coaxial plasma accelerators. This field has a
significant influence on the Hall effect in the plasma streams. The anode flow zone
can be reduced by means of a longitudinal field in the accelerator with the ion
current transport. It has been found that a weak longitudinal field can generate
the transonic flows in a channel. In this case, the kinetic energy of the plasma
rotation is much lower than the longitudinal kinetic energy of the plasma flows at
the outlet.
A longitudinal magnetic field causes the rotational plasma motion, gradually
intensifying it. As a result, the plasma density increases near the outer electrode.
Owing to this, the current crisis phenomenon in the plasma accelerator can be
weakened. At the same time, in the presence of the respective strong longitudinal
magnetic field in the plasma stream, we observe the formation of the current layers
and the local attachments of the plasma current to the external electrode.

Acknowledgements
The author is grateful to Professor Nathaniel J. Fisch of Princeton University for
helpful discussions and valuable comments.
The research has been partially supported by the Grants 06-02-16707 and 05-07-
90026 from the Russian Foundation of Basic Research and by the Russian Academy
of Sciences (programs 9 and 14).
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 279
Appendix A. Flow peculiarities and the efficiency of the acceleration
process in the quasi-one-dimensional approach
To discover some properties of the plasma flow in the axial symmetry channel
we can neglect the variation of the basic functions across the narrow tube. In
this case we do not consider the processes near the electrodes. We assume that
the distance Δr(z) between the electrodes is small and the middle radius of the
channel is a constant r = r0 . The square of the channel cross section is equal to
f (z) = 2πr0 Δr(z). The most thorough investigation in the narrow channel can be
carried out by means of the time-dependent MHD equations in one-dimensional
approximation within the framework of the one-fluid model (Vi = Ve = V). The
suitable system can be obtained, for instance, from (3.3)–(3.10) which take into
account the azimuthal current jϕ ∼ (d2 /dz 2 )Hz and the magnetic viscosity ν.
In the steady-state case (∂/∂t = 0) for the ideal conductivity plasma (σ → ∞)
the flow in a narrow coaxial tube can be described by a system of algebraic equa-
tions [2]:

ρVz f = α1 = constant, Hz f = α2 = constant, (A 1)

Hϕ
α1 Vϕ − α2 Hz = α3 = constant, α1 − α2 Vϕ = α4 = constant, (A 2)
ρ

1 2 Hϕ2 Hϕ Hz V ϕ
(Vz + Vϕ2 ) + W (ρ) + − = α5 = constant. (A 3)
2 ρ ρVz

When the entropy is a constant, the enthalpy is equal to W (ρ) = γP/ρ(γ − 1), where
P = βργ in the dimensionless units accepted above. Here the first two equations
(A 1) express the conservation of a longitudinal mass flux and magnetic flux. Equa-
tions (A 2) follow from conservation laws of the rotation moment and magnetic field
‘freezing’. The Bernoulli equation in the form (A 3) is a consequence of the energy
conservation law. The system (A 1)–(A 3) consists of five equations and six unknown
functions f, ρ, Vz , Vϕ , Hz and Hϕ . The function f can be determined arbitrarily.
In this case the solution of the system with the arbitrary given values αi will
contain, as a rule, the peculiarities which have nothing to do with the nature of the
physical processes. In a more general case the system of equations (A 1)–(A 3) can
be supplemented by one more rather cumbersome equation. This equation keeps
the azimuthal current jϕ and can be used for the definition of the cross-section
square f of the channel.
One of the peculiarities of the system (A 1)–(A 3) is the point of transition through
the Alfvén velocity Vz = VA , where VA2 = Hz2 /ρ. Using relations (A 1) we have ρ =
α12 /α22 and Vz = α22 /α1 f . Then from (A 2) we obtain the relation α1 α4 + α2 α3 = 0
which connects the integration constants in such a way that (A 2) become the
linear dependent equations. This simple particular case provides the absence of
the discontinuity and the continuous transition through the point Vz = CA . If we
assume that there are the discontinuous solutions in the plasma flow in the presence
of a longitudinal field, it would mean that the rotating or Alfvén discontinuity exits.
This discontinuity allows for the simultaneous turn and the possible alteration
of direction for the vector projects Vϕ and Hϕ . Such behavior of the azimuthal
component Hϕ in the quasi-one-dimensional model contradicts the condition of
continuity of the current running along the central electrode.
280 A. N. Kozlov
The investigation of the local behavior of MHD functions can be carried out by
means of the derivatives. We can differentiate (A 1)–(A 3) to z taking into account
the relation
dP dρ dS
= Pρ + PS ,
dz dz dz
where the entropy S is a constant and
∂P
Pρ = = VT2 = γP/ρ.
∂ρ
The obtained system can be resolved with respect to the derivatives. As a result we
receive the relations
 
dVz Hϕ2 2 Vz df dρ ρV 2 df
= VT (Vz − VA ) +
2 2 2
Vz , = −(Vz2 − VA2 ) z (A 4)
dz ρ Gf dz dz Gf dz

dHϕ −Hϕ Vz4 df dVϕ −Hϕ Hz Vz3 df

= , = , (A 5)
dz Gf dz dz Gρf dz

H2 Hz2
G = (Vz2 − Vsl2 )(Vz2 − Vfa2 ), H 2 = Hϕ2 + Hz2 , VH2 = , VA2 = ,
ρ ρ

Vsl,fa = 12 (VT2 + VH2 ) ± 1
2 (VT2 + VH2 )2 − 4VT2 VA2 .

We can consider function F = Vz2 − VA2 . From (A 4) it follows that

dF F df
= [2VT2 F + Vz2 (2VH2 − VA2 )] . (A 6)
dz Gf dz
The system of equations (A 4)–(A 5) and the relation (A 6) are consequences of
(A 1)–(A 3). The relations (A 4)–(A 6) also do not contain the azimuthal current jϕ
which arises in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field. Nevertheless these
relations allow us to conduct the gross qualitative analysis of the MHD variables
in the different flows and the special points of the initial system. It is well known
that the transitions through the velocity of the fast (Vz = Vfa ) or slow (Vz = Vsl )
magnetosonic waves can be associated with the equation df /dz = 0.
The transition of the plasma flow velocity through the Alfvén speed can also
be associated with the equality df /dz = 0. For the sake of simplification we take
the case of cold plasma: β = 0; VT = 0; Vsl = 0; and Vfa = H 2 /ρ. When the flow is
pre-Alfvén (Vz < VA and F < 0), we obtain in the expanding channel (df /dz > 0)
that (d/dz)Vz < 0, dρ/dz < 0 and dF/dz > 0. The last inequality means that we can
approach the point Vz = VA . Conversely, in the narrowing channel (df /dz < 0) in
the pre-Alfvén flow we move away from the point Vz = VA , since dF/dz < 0 under
the condition F < 0. If the flow is above Alfvén (VA < Vz < Vfa ), then the narrowing
channel provides the normal acceleration process: (d/dz)Vz > 0 and dρ/dz < 0. In
this case the relations F > 0 and dF/dz > 0 show again that we move away from
the point Vz = VA . Thus, the transition of the flow velocity through the Alfvén
speed can be carried out when the derivative df /dz changes the sign. With this
the azimuthal current is not equal to zero jϕ 苷 0 and it has the local maximum.
It is noteworthy that the given qualitative estimations based on the quasi-one-
dimensional equations without the azimuthal current jϕ are rather relative.
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 281
As the discharge current in the accelerators is sufficiently large and β Ⰶ 1, we
further estimate the acceleration parameters of the stream in a cold plasma β = 0.
In the absence of a longitudinal field from (A 2) and (A 3) it follows that
1 2 Hϕ2 Hϕ
V + = constant, = constant.
2 z ρ ρ
At the entrance z = 0 we assume that ρ(0) = ρin = 1, Vz (0) = Vin and Hϕin = −1 taking
into account the above-mentioned choice of the electrode polarity and the dimen-
sionless units used. Respectively, at the outlet z = 1 we have Vz (1) = Vout = KVin ,
where K is the coefficient of the flow acceleration. If we consider the channel of the
nozzle form in which f (1) = f (0), then from (A 1) it follows that ρout = K −1 . The
Bernoulli equation 12 Vin2 + 1 = 12 Vout
2 2
+ ρout gives the relation K = Vout /(2 − Vout
2
),
which we can rewrite using the value Vin . As a result we get to the same expression
(B 4), obtained in the smooth channel approximation.
We can receive less exact or too high estimations if we take into consideration that
in the nozzle channel |Hϕout | Ⰶ 1, ρout Ⰶ 1 and Vin Ⰶ Vout . Then
√ from the√Bernoulli
relation we find the plasma velocity at√the outlet Vout ≈ 2 and K ≈ 2Vin−1 . In
ph
the dimension values we have Vout ≈ 2V1 . This estimation is often used in the
experiments and is quite realistic for those kinds of device.
So that one does not complicate the problem too much in the presence of a
longitudinal field, we consider the above Alfvén inflow at z = 0: ρin = 1, Hϕin = −1,
Vϕ (0) = Vϕin = 0 and Hz0 = Hz (0). From (A 3) and (A 2) we find
1 2 α4
(Vz + Vϕ2 ) + Hϕ = constant. (A 7)
2 α1
Owing to conditions |Hϕout | Ⰶ 1 and Vin Ⰶ Vout it is obvious that the relation (A 7)

with α4 = −α1 is reduced to K ≈ 2 − (Vϕout )2 Vin−1 . In accordance with (A 1)–(A 2)
the azimuthal velocity is equal to Vϕ = A(1 − ρ)/(1 − A2 ρ), where A = α2 /α1 =
Hz0 /Vin < 1. With f (0) = f (1) we obtain at the outlet Vϕout = A(K − 1)/(K − A2 ) ≈
A, if K Ⰷ 1. Using the relations (B 5), we have
ph
K ≈ (2 − A2 )μ/Vout . (A 8)
The dotted curve in Fig. A.1 depicts the variation of the acceleration coefficient
versus the discharge current based on (A 8) when A = 0.5, Jṁ = 10 MA, mi = 2.5mp
and Vout = 1.5 × 108 cm s−1 .
ph

The efficiency of the acceleration process can be defined by means of the relation
(see, e.g., [25]) η = Φ2 /2ṁD, where
 ra
Φ= ρVz2 2πr dr = ρout Vout
2
f (1)
rk

is a traction at exit (z = 1),

 ra
ṁ = ρVz 2πr dr = ρout Vout f (1)
rk

is the mass flux and D = jE dr. According to the conservation law of the
electromagnetic energy we have
∂
jE + (WE + WH ) = −∇ · (E × H),
∂t
282 A. N. Kozlov

(106 A)

Figure A.1. The dependence of the acceleration coefficient on the discharge current.

where WE and WH are the energy of the electric and magnetic fields per unit
 of
volume. As a result of the integration on the volume we obtain jE dr = − E ×
H dS in the steady-state case (∂/∂t = 0). Here as follows from Ohm’s law (3.2) the
electric field is equal to E = −V × H for the ideal conductivity plasma.
Taking this into account and using (A 1) and (A 3) in the absence of a longitudinal
field within the framework of the quasi-one-dimensional approach we have
D = Vin (Hϕin )2 f (0) − Vout (Hϕout )2 f (1) = 12 (Vout
2
− Vin2 )ρout Vout f (1).
Since Vin Ⰶ Vout , we receive finally D ≈ 12 Vout 3
ρout f (1) and η ≈ 1. Thus, the theoret-
ical estimation of the efficiency in the coaxial plasma accelerator with the profiled
electrodes and the nozzle channel is not far from η = 1 or 100%. In practice the
efficiency of the acceleration process is a little less due to the insignificant current
removed from the system, heating and plasma radiation.
In the presence of a longitudinal field we have (E × H)z ≈ Er Hϕ , where Er =
Vϕ Hz − Vz Hϕ . Using (A 2), we obtain D ≈ α4 (Hϕin − Hϕout ). In accordance with the
Bernoulli relation in form (A 7) and the conditions Vin Ⰶ Vout and Vϕin = 0 we find
D ≈ 12 (Vout
2
+ (Vϕout )2 )ρout Vout f (1). As a result the efficiency of the acceleration
process can be estimated by the expression
η = 1/(1 + (Vϕout /Vout )2 ). (A 9)
If the longitudinal field is weak then the azimuthal velocity at the outlet is also
small and the theoretical estimation (A 9) is approximately equal to 100% as before
in the absence of a longitudinal field.

Appendix B. Construction of the geometry and estimations of the

parameters in the smooth channel approximation
In the absence of a longitudinal magnetic field the calculation of the optimal
geometry of the accelerator channel can be carried out in two different flow regimes,
on condition that there is electron or ion current transport. As was shown, the
profiles of electrodes do not practically change in the case of conversion from
one current transport regime to another, other things being equal. To be clear
we consider the regime of the electron current transport. In this case the final
relations can be written in a simple form, which is more suitable for estimations of
the accelerator parameters. Without limitation of the community we suppose that
 Quasi-steady plasma accelerator theory 283
in the case of electron current transport the relation ψi (z, r = ra (z)) = 0 takes place
on one of electrodes, e.g., the anode. Then, from expression (2.27) it follows
ψi (z, r) = r02 V0 (z)C1 (z) ln(r/ra (z)), (B 1)
where C1 (z) = U0 − 1 2
2 V0 (z) according to the relation (2.26). We can assume
that ψi (z, r = rk (z)) = θ on the second electrode. From (B 1) we define the optimal
geometry of the accelerator channel
rk (z) = ra (z) exp(θ/r02 V0 (z)C1 (z)). (B 2)
In accordance with the experiments, we consider that ra (z) = r0 = constant. The
construction of the channel geometry is implemented under the condition that the
longitudinal velocity is known Vz = V0 (z). Respectively, the magnitudes of velocity
at the inlet Vin = V0 (0) and at the outlet Vout = V0 (1) are known.
The condition ψi (0, r = rk (0)) = ψi (1, r = rk (1)) = θ makes it possible to find the
relation for calculating the acceleration coefficient K = Vout /Vin in channel of the
optimal geometry. If we know only the value of the velocity at the entrance and
magnitudes rk (0) and rk (1), then we obtain the following expression
Vin2 K 3 − (Vin2 + 2)K + 2χ = 0, (B 3)
where χ = ln(r0 /rk (0))/ln(r0 /rk (1)). If rk (0) = rk (1), χ = 1 from (B 3) we have

K = 2Vin−2 + 14 − 12 . (B 4)
The relation (B 4) gives an estimation of the maximum possible coefficient of accel-
eration. In reality the plasma acceleration is lower with respect to this value because
of a whole set of circumstances including the plasma heating and radiation.
The quite definite parameters in the experimental research are integral character-
istics such as the discharge current in the system Jd and mass flux ṁ(g/s) which
is expressed as usual in the equivalent current units Jṁ = (e/mi )ṁ. In addition,
the experiments allow the plasma velocity to be measured at the inlet of the
ph
channel. Accordingly
√ we can assume that the value Vin = Vin V1 is known as well as
V1 = 2Jd /cR0 4πmi n0 . The mass flux at the entrance cross section is represented by
the expression ṁ = 2πmi n0 V1 L2 |θ|, which contains the parameters of the problem
and
 r a (0)
θ= ρVz r dr = ψi (0, rk (0))
r k (0)
in accordance with (2.7). As a result we find
 
μ eJd2 r0
Vin−2 = ph
, μ= ln . (B 5)
Vin c2 mi Jṁ rk (0)
These relations can be used in (B 3) and (B 4) to estimate the acceleration coefficient
and value of the plasma velocity at the outlet from the system if we know the
velocity at the inlet. Here we have to use the Gauss units.
It is possible to consider the position of another problem. For instance, it is
necessary to obtain a plasma stream with a definite magnitude of the velocity at
the outlet from the accelerator. In this case we assume that the plasma velocity at
ph ph ph
the exit is assigned Vout = Vout V1 . Since Vout = KVin , the relation (B 4) is reduced to
ph
K = 2μ/Vout − 1. (B 6)
284 A. N. Kozlov
Using this relation we can estimate the coefficient of the plasma acceleration and
the values of the plasma parameters at the entrance, respectively. The plasma
inflow with the corresponding parameters at the inlet including the velocity is the
necessary condition to reach the required final result.
Figure A.1 in accordance with the relation (B 6) shows the function ln K of the
acceleration coefficient for the different discharge current in the system. The mass
flux Jṁ in the current units is 5 MA for graph 1 and 10 MA for graph 2. These
graphs suit the following parameters: R = 60 cm, r0 /rk (0) = 0.25, mi = 2.5mp and
Vout = 1.5 × 108 cm s−1 . The choice of the given velocity at the outlet is justified by
ph

the possible use of the plasma stream from the accelerator in the magnetic traps
and thermonuclear installations with temperature, e.g., 10 keV for the mixture
of deuterium and tritium. It is also clear from this figure that there is a minimal
admissible value of the discharge current Jd∗ . Starting with this value of the current
in the system we have a chance to reach any acceleration effect K > 1.
In the presence of a weak longitudinal magnetic field the indicated estimations
do not change significantly. This follows from Figs 1(c) and 3(c) which show the
distributions of the azimuthal velocity with the maximum magnitudes near the
external electrode. In addition, Figs 1(b) and 3(b) show that the longitudinal field
is being ‘pushed out’ by the plasma from the volume of the accelerator channel.
Therefore, the primary stream to a certain extent remains mainly free from the
longitudinal field and its rotation is not large. The results of the research described
above also confirm this. Section 4.2 proves that the rotation energy is much lower
than the longitudinal kinetic energy of the plasma flow at the outlet from the
system. At the same time, a weak longitudinal field allows for the modification of
the plasma flow in the vicinity of electrodes and it exerts a noticeable influence on
the processes and the associated negative phenomena near the electrodes.

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