Validation of two-dimensional axisymmetric plume model for ion thruster

In order to understand the distribution and flow characteristic of ion plume especially the charge-exchange (CEX) ions, the ion thruster plume model was established and a numerical simulation using the particle-in-cell method was adopted to obtain CEX ions distribution in the plume. The calculation results were compared with the experimental results for the plume fields of two ion thrusters. It agrees well between calculation results and experimental results of CEX ions density distribution, magnitude of electrical potential, position of maximum electrical potential grads, CEX ion flow angle. Structures of electrical potential have somewhat differences because the experimental result is influenced by the vacuum tank wall. The ion thruster plume model and calculation results help for experimental and numerical simulation study of plume.