Influence of Electron and Ion Thermodynamics on the Magnetic Nozzle Plasma Expansion

A two-fluid 2-D model of the supersonic plasma flow in a propulsive magnetic nozzle (MN) is extended to include simple electron and ion thermodynamics to study the effects of electron cooling and ion thermal energy on the expansion. A faster electron cooling rate is seen to reduce plasma jet divergence, increase radial rarefaction, and enhance detachment from the closed magnetic lines. Ion thermal energy is converted to directed kinetic energy by the MN without the mediation of an ambipolar electric field, and alters the electric response of the plasma.